


CONGRESS, 


@1; ; i | P Z_3 1 o|iijriri!;l tya 

Shelf 8% A 


UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 






>> 

s§ 


2* 










/ 



I 































\ 






















































I 








































I 
















% 





















































































THE ADVENTURES 


FRANK FRIENDLESS 


AND 


OR, THE 


PIRATE’S GHOST 


STANDAKD PKINT, SALEM, N. .1 


For sale by all Newsdealers, 


t&TQ 



\ 


f i 








s' 1 


\ 
























% 









a 


» 











































% 




t 
























# 




•# 































* 














THE ADVENTURES 


OF 

FRANK FRIENDLESS 


AND 

ELDER WEBBER; 


OR, THE 


PIRATE’S GHOST. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

1878. 



♦ 


A 




'v 




v 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1878, by J. Haven, in the Office ol 


the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 





I 




CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER J. 

Antecedents of Frank Friendless. — Seeks his Fortune. — 
Sees a Ghost. — Seeks to Capture it. — Overtakes it, 
after Chasing it Ten Miles. 

CHAPTER II. 

Adventures of Frank Friendless Continued. — Finds his 
Fortune, which Closes his Autobiography. 

CHAPTER III. 

His Biographer Continues his Adventures. — He is not 
satisfied with being a Millionaire, and Marries an 
Heiress to a Million. — He is Tempted to be Dishonest, 
Hesitates, Yields to Temptation, and is Severely 
Scourged. —Repents. 

CHAPTER IY. 

He Fully Redeems Himself in tiie Estimation of all, by 
his Good Works and Just Dealings. 

CHAPTER Y. 

Antecedents of Elder Webber. — His Adventures. — He 
Becomes suddenly Rich through F. F. — He Finds the 
Devil at his Heels, and Leaps on top of the Pulpit. — 
He Fears God is about to Turn him over to the Devil 
fully. — Looses all his Money. — Shuns F. F. for a Long 
Time. 

CHAPTER YI. 

Frank’s further Adventures. — Becomes Puffed up with 
Self-Righteousness. — Finds it Poor Religion to Live 
by, Seeks to do Right again, and Prospers. 


V 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER VII. 

Frank’s Adventures Continued. — He again falls out by 
the Way, and Meets with the Most Appalling Ad- 
ventures of ALL. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

Further Adventures of Elder Webber. — He Becomes a 
Bogus Spirit Medium. — He Digs for Gold in a Grave- 
Yard. — Sees a Ghost. — Is Arrested for Body-Snatch- 
ing. — Is Acquitted. — The Church Makes Him a Dona- 
tion Visit. — He Goes to Preaching again. — Obtains 
Twenty-five Thousand Dollars of Frank Friendless. 
He now fully Joins his Destiny with Old Beelzebub. 
He has Seances in his Church.— Evil Spirits take full 
Possession of Him, and he suddenly Gojss to the Devil. 

CHAPTER IX. 

Frank Friendless Becomes Shocked at the Fate of Elder 
Webber. — He is finally Exposed in his Sins. — Ret 
pents, and Becomes Happy at Last. 


THE ADVENTURES OF 

FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER; 

OB, 

THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 

CHAPTER I. 

A few words concerning Frank’s antecedents must suffice. 
His grandparents, in company with other emigrants, started from 
old England to find a new home in America. Two of the emi- 
grants were millionaires, who, with their families, thought other 
considerations besides gold necessary to constitute a happy 
home. One of these rich men was Frank’s grandfather. 

It was in the days of the pirates, that is, when they flourished 
in spite of all the nations of the earth. 

During their voyage they were captured by that notorious 
pirate, Captain Blackheart, and although a fiend incarnate, in this 
instance he allowed the ship to go on its course without shedding 
a drop of blood. 

Some thought one thing, and some another, hence there were 
various opinions expressed among the crew and passengers. 
While some thought it was a previously arranged plan between 
the piratical captain and the captain of the ship, others believed 
that both captains belonged to the same secret Order; while again 
some thought it was because they had met with no resistance, 
hence their worst natures had not been stirred up ; and each gave 
reasons for his opinion. In the first place, the captain of the ship 
had been sent on board of the pirate, and was detained several 
hours, and when he returned he seemed to think the affair a pleas- 
ant adventure, judging from his gratified look — as though escaping 


6 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER; OR, 


with their lives was all they could ask, and more than was ex- 
pected; while others thought they saw, secret signs pass between 
him and the pirate. Be that as it may, the ship sped on her 
course without any further mishap, and in due time arrived at her 
destination. 

But what a broken-hearted company were the passengers — 
friendless and penniless and in a strange land ! 

The result, in part, of the great loss sustained, was the dis- 
couraged state of mind into which these poor people fell. Death 
soon closed the sorrows of the grandmother of Frank, while the 
old gentleman lived long enough to see his only child, a daughter, 
married to a worthy clergyman named Friendle'ss ; he then went 
to join his companion in a country where rich and poor fare 
alike. 

Rev. Mr. Friendless and his wife were blest with several 
children, one of whom was Frank, and the only survivor at the 
date of our story. 

Frank’s father and mother had passed away, after a life of 
usefulness, to meet several children who had gone before, leaving 
their youngest son to battle with the storms of life alone, and 
leaving to him a small, unencumbered estate, consisting of a 
small piece of land and buildings. 

Frank knew the history of the piratical robbery, and longed 
to be like his grandfather, a millionaire. lie keenly felt the 
loss of the money; and contrasting his condition with what it 
might have been but for old Blackheart, it made him feel like 
seeking his fortune, instead of waiting for his fortune to seek him. 

We shall, in our story, let Frank speak 'for himself, till such 
time as we shall find it preferable to substitute biography for 
autobiography, and thereby produce a satisfactory conclusion. 

Frank was not friendless, except in name. So, after making 
arrangements, and announcing his determination to his friends, he 
started forth to grapple with his destiny ; and in the following 
honest style relates his adventures, leading all to see, whatever 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


7 


he ultimately became, that at the commencement he was as 
honest as he was wise. He says : 

“Friendless and alone, I started forth to seek my fortune. 
I stopped the first night at a country tavern, and in the evening, 
being restless and lonesome, I strolled to the fields and* pastures 
surrounding the inn. It was only starlight ; and as I paused for 
reflection by the roadside, I saw what appeared to me to be two 
diamonds, about the size of the human eye. I stooped to pick 
them up, and as I reached forth my hand they vanished from my 
sight. I was confounded; but the next moment I again saw 
them shining as brightly as before, about twelve feet off. I 
thought I could secure them at the next attempt, and again 
started to grasp the sparkling prize, though wondering at the 
change of position ; but what was my mystification to have them 
again disappear, and reappear as suddenly as before ! 

“ I began to query what could make diamonds shine so bril- 
liantly in the dark ? What could move them so suddenly, and 
cause them to reappear in the ‘ twinkling of an eye?’ I began to 
fear I was too anxious to possess such property as gold and silver 
and precious stones, and that my desire was leading me to de- 
struction, or that it was the fancy of a disordered brain, or that 
the Evil One himself perhaps was busy in the affair ; though I 
must confess that I little cared whether it was a good or evil 
spirit, so that I obtained the diamonds— just as men usually feel 
when seeking their fortune. 

“ I again saw them, as brightly as ever, about twelve feet 
from the last place, and I determined to approach the glowing 
fortune as nearly as I could, and then, by giving a regular cat-like 
spring, seize the prize before it could again evade my grasp. I 
therefore cautiously moved along, and when within a suitable 
distance, made a spring worthy of a hungry and much-in-earnest 
panther ; but it was all in vain ; I only felt a spray of cold water 
in my face and on my hands. I began to think the 4 devil was to 
pay,’ or I was making a blunder that others could laugh at. Soon 


8 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER ; OR 


I saw the sparkling diamonds the same distance off as before. I 
was now completely puzzled. I thought I would take another 
course, this time— that I would walk along to my coveted prize 
slowly. I did so, but as I took the last step, ana thought to 
stoop slowly, I found my diamonds were gone, as before. 

“ I noticed, also, that I was going all the time in a direct line, 
and not in a zizzag course. I should have become alarmed at 
the strange adventure, had it not been for my great desire to 
possess wealth to such a degree that I was half crazed. 

“I at once saw my two diamonds just ahead of me — I say 
mine, for I had felt sure of them at the first, and as I did not lose 
sight of them but for a moment, thej T were mine in prospect. 

“ I still determined to secure my coveted prize, and this time 
concluded to creep up slowly, and make a sort of circuit around 
and approach from the opposite direction. Still keeping the glo- 
rious prize in view, I slowly made my circuit ; but I might just as 
well have thought of catching a shadow, or a falling meteor, for 
when my hand was on the identical spot, nothing was found but 
the bare ground; and not till I had looked behind me, or turned 
about, did I find my diamonds, which had again moved in the 
same direction they had taken at the first ; and whether they had 
gone over my head or between my feet, I did not know ; but if the 
‘ Old Scratched had been giving an entertainment at sleight of 
hand for my amusement, using the diamonds to make the occasion 
more interesting and fascinating, I could not have been more 
curious; but from the fact that they were still in sight and 
apparent reach, I was as determined as ever to secure them. 

“ I concluded, this time, to change my movements, and so run 
them down. So I started full tilt; but lo ! they were gone. Yefc 
in a moment I saw them shining as temptingly as ever the usual 
distance off. 

“ I now concluded that, inasmuch as they kept on in the same 
direction, I would do the same, and see if I could not succeed in 
running them down in another attempt. So for them I started 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


9 ' 


again ; but to my surprise they were still just ahead. So, after 
running a few rods and feeling out of breath, I sat down to 4 puff 
and blow and what was my tantalized feelings when I perceived 
that my diamonds were really moving, this time, very slowly 
toward me; and I made ready to grab them, if they came near 
enough. But no, they stopped short of that. So, after resting 
awhile, with my eyes constantly on my prize, contemplating the 
strange adventure and wondering what would be the result of the 
affair — though still full of hope — I started again, only to be again 
thwarted. 

“Just then I found myself opposed by what is known on 
farms as a 4 stone wall,’ several feet thick and as high. But to my 
surprise, on the other side there shone my diamonds, as bright 
and valuable-looking as ever, showing me that their taking a 
position on the other side had been no injury to them, leading to 
the reflection that, if I obtained them, as I hoped to, their power 
could take me as safely through all obstacles. 

4 4 4 Well,’ thought I, 4 1 guess it is no harder for me to obtain 
my diamonds than for people generally to obtain theirs,’ but 
concluded that the way I was getting mine was quite a funny 
way, as well as laborious, but, like others, I must struggle to gain 
riches, though it was mighty discouraging, as it doubtless was 
with them, and probably with about as many disappointments. 

44 However, I scaled the wall. And here a bright thought led 
me to another course of procedure. I concluded that, from my 
eminence— the top of the wall— I could take about as smart a 
spring, and go as far, as anything on earth could, even my dia- 
monds ; and I further thought that I would go as far beyond as 
possible ; and as they were within a dozen feet of my perch, and 
I six feet tall, I concluded to venture my full length on my 
stomach, thinking that, if I did not get them by thus lowering 
my body if not my dignity, they would not be lost to me for want 
of doing every desperate and almost every despicable thing ever 
thought of— like many others who go for diamonds. 


10 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER ; OR, 


“ I now gave a spring that never was beaten by any two or 
four legged creature on earth — but I did not get the diamonds, 
though I thought I ought to. But I did get something else : 

1 got very dirty; for the locality was a yard where cows were 
kept over night. And it was a wonder that I did not see the pre- 
dicament I was in ; but my eagerness made me blind to everything 
but my bright diamonds, and they were so bright that I could see 
nothing else. But if I had jumped into the Devil’s den, or a den 
of lions, there could not have been a greater rumpus than my 
advent made among the cows. I was realty disgusted this time, 
and for a moment felt like creeping over the wall and lying down 
till morning; but then there were the two big diamonds, spark- 
ling as usual in the distance. Then how could I give up the prize, 
after all my trouble, while it was still in view? I therefore 
pressed on, regardless of the bellowing of the cows and the 
barking and howling of several dogs. 

“If I looked as I felt, just at that moment when I started 
again on my chase, and had it been in the day-time and dogs had 
seen me, I think they would not only have barked and howled, 
but run off', too, from sheer fright; and I guess if any of the milk- 
maids had seen me in that plight, that I would have had no chance 
of securing their favor. So I felt glad for a moment that, while I 
must pass for a dirty fool in my own estimation, none could see 
me to laugh at my appearance ; for really I must have looked 
much like a dilapidated 4 tramp.’ 

“ Finally my resolution to possess the diamonds returned 
with such force, that I would have gone through tire or tophet to 
secure them. So, pressing on, in a few minutes I forgot my 
fatigue and appearance, and was as zealously pursuing the coveted 
prize as though I expected to exhaust their power to move. In 
fact, I had become so infatuated, I never thought to call into 
account how, or by what power they moved. But it now suddenly 
occurred to me that the Devil really had a hand in it, and I was 
inclined to doubt the evidence of my own eyes ; yet I could hardly 
beldeve it possible for me to be mistaken. 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


11 


“ I finally started again, full run for a rod or so. and then 
gave one of my best jumps. And, reader, where do you suppose 
I fetched up ? Why, in a frog-pond of green, slimy water, reach- 
ing to my middle, with two feet or so of mud, and thousands of 
croaking frogs. 

“ I began to reflect, and concluded that, if all seeking riches 
had to go through what I had already encountered, I did not 
wonder so many gave up and remained poor, while so few suc- 
ceeded ; and I began to think I was, in degree, as big a fool as the 
■diamonds were of value, and for a moment felt like remaining 
with the frogs, thinking that such a fate was quite good enough 
for so great a simpleton ; and had there been any one present 
with a horse-whip to flog me thoroughly for my wild diamond 
chase, I should have felt that I deserved it fully; and though 
feeling, for the time being, that I might just as well lie down in 
all the slime and mud — being now exhausted as well as com- 
pletely disgusted — yet I was kept from it by seeing my two dia- 
monds still shining, temptingly near this time ; for I had supposed, 
as I now stood where they were last seen by me, that they were 
as far beyond my reach — having sunk in the mud — as the stars over 
my head ; and this thought was one of the several causes of my dis- 
couraged state of mind; for while I kept them in sight I still had 
hope, notwithstanding they continued to lead me such a bewil- 
dering chase. How they could have remained in sight on the 
surface of the water long enough to show themselves, was funny 
enough and very mysterious. And now there they were, high and 
dry ; and if I was not perplexed, then there never was a puzzled 
and baffled wretch on earth, while at the same time I thought if 
there was on earth, or anywhere else, a worse-looking object than 
I was — .judging by my cow-yard adventure and my present position 
in the mud and water — or a more disgusted, six-foot tall young 
man, then I would go through quite a struggle for the privilege of 
shaking hands with him ; for ‘ misery likes company,’ as I did for 
.a moment among the frogs ; and could I have.turned into one,- the 


12 


FltANK FRIENDLESS ANI) ELDER WEBBER; OR,. 


transformation would have been as suddenly accomplished as- my 
spring into the water had been. 

“ However, I could not give up. So I started for my prize 
again, amid the tantalizing croaks of frogs and their splashing 
about as though they would be as glad to be rid of my presence 
as I was becoming anxious to be rid of them and their, — to them, — 
first-class home. And it now seemed to me as though my dia- 
monds shone brighter than ever, and stopped a little longer, as 
though to encourage me on, or out of pity for my fatigue and 
various mishaps. 

“ But I now began to long for morning, though I knew not 
what a day might bring forth ; but I knew that, if it brought forth 
cow-yards and filth, with howling dogs and slimy frog-ponds, I 
could avoid them, if my diamonds did have to go in a straight 
line. 

“ I now felt that, after going through what I had, to be disap- 
pointed would be quite as severe a misfortune as it would be to 
lose them after securing the prize, and I resolved to win if I had 
to follow them to the ‘ end of the earth.' 

“ So I kept on for a season longer, but became exhausted, and: 
took a seat on the ground to rest, and in the meantime to watch 
my diamonds. I rested perhaps half an hour, when my diamonds 
came a little nearer, and then they slowly receded ; and fearing I 
might lose sight of them, I started again in pursuit, and so con- 
tinued for a long distance, when all at once I could see them no 
more. But as I turned about, there they were in the same direc- 
tion whence I had come. I approached them, but, as they had 
done before, they eluded me. And thus it continued for a season ; 
they moved only a few yards in either direction, continuing to 
keep in a complete circle. I therefore concluded to sit down and 
wait till morning ; and, fortunately, I did not have to wait long 
for daylight. 

u When daylight appeared, what does the reader suppose I 
saw V Why, one of the 1 darndest’ big old frogs that ever lived.. 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


13 

He was as big as twenty common frogs, and weighed— I guess — 
! ten pounds ; and his hind legs must have been nearly two feet 
g} 1 e his foie le^s were half as long. I looked with amaze- 
ment upon him. His great, round, bulging eyes now began to 
fade — and they were my two diamonds.* 

“ I now could account for the curious spray of cold water 
which so much astonished me when I received it in my face at the 
commencement of my wonderful exploits; as frogs, when hard 
pressed and frightened, always give a squirt of cold water from 
the rear. This I had learned when a boy while at play in the 
fields. 

“ But why should this old frog’s eyes shine so like diamonds ? 
I queried, as I had never witnessed or heard of such a phenomenon 
in the eyes of other frogs, and my recent experience in the frog- 
pond seemed positive proof to the contrary. I knew they did not 
in the day-time, as my old frog’s eyes were now proving, for they 
continued to fade so that they soon looked like common frogs’ 
eyes. He was precisely the color of the ground, and even in the 
day-time I should not have seen him but for the fact that I had my 
eyes constantly on him. His color then accounted for my not 
seeing him, or only his diamond-like eyes, during my long chase. 

“ I felt very queerly upon making my discovery. My head 
began to ache, and my legs also, and finally my whole body. 
I also felt sick at the stomach, and feared I might have a serious 
time. I now began to feel anything but a friendly feeling for his 
old frogship, and most any one would have felt the same, and would 
have hated all the frogs in existence, in my situation. But what 
was the use of blaming the frog, after all? Only because I had 
placed myself on a level, or below’this old frog, in running a race 
with him which showed that we were very unequally matched ; for 
while he had borne it, I cannot say manfully, but like a king 

* History mentions the bull-frog as being twenty-one inches in length, and his 
•croaking, which resembled the bellowing of the bull, could be heard the distance of a 
•mile. — Tenney's Zoology , page 310. 


14 FRANK FRIENDLESS ANI) ELDER WEBBER; OR, 

among frogs. I had become very much demoralized in feeling and 
appearance. 

u Yet I began to reflect, and really felt, that only this 
particular frog was at fault *, and I wondered why he had kept on 
in a direct course, over all obstacles. I could now understand 
why my diamonds were not lost in the frog-pond. But why did 
he entice me on by coming nearer while I rested? and why did 
he not stop before, as he did then, and so prevent my long tramp ? 
I queried. 

“ I began to think the Devil was in the old frog, and that he 
knew better ; and finally I just concluded 1 would make him as 
much trouble as he had made me. So I went for the old long- 
legged, big-eyed monster of a frog. But in lieu of stamping him to 
death, I found him as nimble as though he had rested all night. 
He gave a mighty leap over my head, beating my leap in the cow- 
yard by a great deal, so that I could no longer boast of beating all 
creation. He came down with a thud! on the ground, and disap- 
peared forever from my sight. 


CHAPTER II. 

Now, although the foregoing will be to some incredible, 
and this reflection might be quite enough to restrain me from 
continuing my wonderful story, yet I cannot refrain. I must tell 
the other side of the story, showing that, though made a big fool 
of at first by a big frog’s two big shining eyes, yet the sequel 
will well repay going through with all, and being laughed at 
besides. 

u t supposed that when the big old fool of a frog— as I thought 
him— made his final hop, some twenty feet over my head, that 
it would be his last jump ; and that as he came down head first- 
just as frogs always do when they dive from a log or from the 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


15 


banks of their ponds — I was not surprised to see him go it in that 
style ; but, thought I, his head will get it now, and his big eyes be 
knocked out without my help ; and though I had intended doing 
it myself for him, I did not like to see him commit suicide, espe- 
cially as it looked as though I had driven him to it, and that, in 
fact, he was not to blame. 

“These thoughts made me hurry to the spot where he had 
made his own grave; for, strangely enough, the frog had made 
a hole in the ground large enough for a man to enter. But 
lo ! it had been a mere shell of earth, not more than two or three 
inches in thickness ; and I wondered I had not broken through.. 
I now began to think, the Devil being in the frog, that that 
was what he was up to in keeping me in the circle, hoping that 
I might blunder in, as I had shown myself big fool enough for 
just such a fate, but as I did not, he did it himself. But I pre- 
sume I had not stepped on the spot, or else my weight was not 
equal to the old frog’s heavy fall. 

“ I stooped to look into the cavity, expecting to see his frog- 
ship a mass of ruins ; but he was not to be seen ; though, instead 
of him, my two diamonds lay about one foot below the surface, as 
brightly shining as ever. But as there was plenty of space in all 
directions, and the shell of earth so thin, I did not wonder at his 
disappearance, but did at his leaving his two eyes. But they were 
two real diamonds and no mistake, and no more like frogs’ eyes 
than my own were. So I concluded that these two diamonds 
were not his eyes, but that lie had escaped, eyes and all. At 
this I felt well pleased, my mind changing toward him a& 
suddenly and as greatly as it did when I saw 1 had been chasing a 
big frog all night. 

“Now what does the reader think of this? It is all true, 
though I suppose he will think as I did at first, that is, that the 
Devil, or some other kind of an agency, was at work in the affair 
besides the big old frog ; but as good results followed, it could 
not have been the Devil, or else he is not so evil as represented. 


16 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER ; OR 


Then how did all this come to pass? is the natural inquiry ; and 
for a solution of the wonder we will look at further developments. 

“ I took the trouble to remove the crumbled earth, and to 
search for more diamonds — for it was natural to suppose that 
more were there— and fortunately I was gratified in finding more. 
I carefully removed all the loose earth from the opening, mak- 
ing it sufficiently large to work with my hands. I soon came 
to a stone jar holding four gallons. This I brought to the surface, 
and it was filled to the brim, including a large folded parchment 
manuscript encased in a silver book-like box. I did not stop to read 
iit, but explored further, and brought up jar after jar, till I found I 
had thirteen, all told, and all were filled with gold and silver and 
diamonds of immense value. 

“ I saw that there was no way for me to carry my load, as I 
had about as much as a horse could haul. I was afraid to leave it, 
and what to do I hardly knew. At this juncture I looked across 
the field, and saw a man passing along with a horse and covered 
wagon. I then, for the first time, noticed that I was near a 
public highway. I at once filled my pockets with gold pieces, 
and started for the roadside. He saw me coming, and as he was 
about passing I beckoned him to stop, which he immediately did. 
I at once told him that I wanted to hire his team ; but this offer 
he declined, saying he was on his way to the city to sell the entire 
establishment, as he needed the money to lift a mortgage on his 
farm. 

“ I then asked his price, and though an extortionate one, I 
counted out his money. He looked frightened, probably from my 
wild and haggard looks, though partly, perhaps, fearing me a 
robber, or that I might recant and he have to return the money. 
But he said he was in a hurry, and would return home. 

“ I entered the wagon and drove my horse back and forth, 
ostensibly to try him, but in reality to allow the man to get well 
off. I then stood up in the carriage to see if he was still in sight, 
and observed him looking back ; and whether he thought I might, 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


17 


after trying tlie horse, be dissatisfied, or whether he thought I 
was going for him for his money, I could not tell and did not care, 
when he took to his heels and ran out of sight. 

“I immediately crossed the field to my treasure, and loaded 
up ; and I found I had a respectable load for my horse. I then 
started, in a different direction from that taken by the man of 
whom I had purchased my team. I soon came to a brook of 
clear water. I alighted, and improved my personal appearance 
by washing my face and hands, and removing as much of the dirt 
from my clothing as possible. I then rode on, and soon found I 
was ten miles from the tavern where I had put up the night 
before. To that I hurried, and was informed by my astonished 
landlord that he had begun to fear I was lost in my rambles. I 
told him that such was the case, and, feeling angry, I had bought 
a team. Fortunately for me, nothing could be seen by any one, 
as my covered carriage hid my 4 money pots’ from view. 

“ I soon had my breakfast, and then started for home, which 
was twenty miles off*. But what the results of so great a change 
in my circumstances would be among my neighbors I could not 
tell or imagine, yet, as they knew my object in leaving home, 
they would at least think me rather luckier than young men in 
general, and would, being curious, gossip about my affairs. 

11 1 arrived safely at the old parsonage, and at once disposed 
of my treasure. After attending to the wants of my horse and 
putting my carriage under cover, I attended to my own by chang- 
ing my clothing and making myself comfortable for the night, 
and prepared to read the manuscript found on top of the diamonds. 

“Asl proceeded in acquainting myself with the contents of 
the parchment, I was filled with as much amazement as I had 
been at the first sight of the diamonds and the subsequent termi- 
nation of my long chase ; and as the story of my adventures pro- 
ceeds the cause of my astonishment will be apparent to all. 

“ As I opened the parchment, such a croaking of frogs as I 
heard was enough to astonish any one under any circumstances, 


18 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER; OR, 


but to me it was peculiarly interesting. I was led to think the 
king of frogs had been my guide to the hidden treasure, and that 
he had informed all the frogs in the world of the termination of 
the affair, and that they had joined him in serenading me, or in 
rejoicing at my good fortune. 

“ But I commenced, and before reading far I was as much 
astonished at the contents as at the first adventure, or at the sere- 
nade of the frogs ; and I came to the conclusion that it was on 
another’s account that the frogs rejoiced. But here follows the 
contents of the manuscript : 

“‘Young man, you need not hesitate one moment about 
taking the vast fortune now discovered by you. I, who had a 
right, have led you to it, and therefore 3 T ou need not scruple to 
accept it ; though there are conditions with which }^ou must com- 
ply, in order to be happy and enjoy the fortune I never enjoyed. 

“ ‘ You wonder who the writer of this is. Well, I will inform 
you, that you may wonder more — though you will know me no 
better afterwards than now. 

“ 1 1 was a pirate. My name was Blackheart. I was in com- 
mand of a piratical vessel when the ship on board of which were 
your grandfather, Aram Ahab, his wife and daughter, and one 
million in diamonds and gold, was on its way to America ; and in 
capturing the ship I secured several millions, including your 
grandfather’s million. Nevertheless, I place all in your hands, 
as though all originally belonged to your ancestors. 

“ ‘ One million belonged to Israel Nathaniel. He has a 
descendant, a young lady, a granddaughter. You must restore the 
million originally belonging to her grandfather, besides relating 
to her all you have experienced in connection therewith ; and also 
read to her this document. About what course you and the young 
lady may take in regard to each other, after her fortune has been 
restored, I have nothing t6 say. I have only to mention that her 
grandparents and your own were great friends. 

“ 4 1 do not know to whom the other millions originally be- 


T1IE PI HATE’S GHOST. 


19 


longed, therefore I can give no directions in reference to their 
restoration, but must content myself by making the only restitu- 
tion I can. I therefore direct you to use the other four millions 
in doing good to mankind, using your own judgment; for after 
finding your own fortune, and restoring the young lady’s, you will 
be prompted, I trust, by your goodness of heart, to do right. 
Should you not, I shall look after you in a style you will not 
enjoy. 

“ ‘ You wonder how I came to take possession of a frog, and 
how I came to guide you so strangely, like the star that led the 
shepherds along till it stood over the stable where the Virgin’s 
baby lay ; and as it would ever remain a mystery to you unless 
explained, I shall state it fully. (Of course this is written before 
I pass into that condition wherein I shall be capable of pursuing 
such a course ; that is, of taking possession of the frog.) And how 
I came to write it was this : 

“ ‘ I found myself at last, though so rich and wicked, unable 
to drive away remorse. My conscience would show signs of life 
in spite of all efforts to benumb it. Finally I had a vision, which 
was as real to me as though my Maker had spoken to me face to 
face. It Was as follows : 

“ 1 1 was reminded that I had the opportunity while on earth 
of making restitution, so far as I knew the names of those who 
were the rightful owners; but that, should I neglect the duty, it 
would require a long period of purifying punishment before - 1 
could acquire that moral condition which would enable me to take 
possession of a frog, and do through its instrumentality, and in 
such an exalted position, what I had failed to do on earth — to lead 
the heirs to their rightful treasure. 

“ £ In my vision I saw two of the heirs, yourself and the 
young lady, Miss Nathaniel, and I was informed that I must seek 
you out, and place you in my position so far as the possessions 
and their restoration and use were concerned. Hence I had full 
confidence that I should find you, either in life or after death. So, 


20 FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER; OR, 

with a determination to find you, I have been going up and down 
through the “New World,” and shall continue so to do till I dis- 
cover you, or till death closes my earthly efforts ; though, should 
I be cut off without succeeding, I shall come out all right ulti- 
mately, for I have the promise of Him who cannot lie that thus 
it shall be. 

44 4 1 shall expect you to attend to the work delegated to you. 
A neglect of your plain duty will, in the end, be quite as disas- 
trous to you as to me. And should any one obtain wrongfully any 
of the wealth entrusted to you, they will be as severely dealt with 
as yourself should you neglect your duty. 

44 4 1 was also informed that I should be relieved from remorse 
;and darkness in proportion to the restitution made, either by 
myself or by you, and that when complete restitution should be 
accomplished, I would stand in the light and joy of the saved. 

44 4 1 also saw that I should be enabled to rise'above the frog, 
.•and to take a form through which I could work more effectually 
in looking after those interests that are to affect me in future life, 
should I be so unfortunate as to fail on earth, or through the frog* 
44 4 It is now plain why I have written, and why I have placed 
the manuscript in the jar — so that a failure to find you while I am 
on earth, for the purpose of making restitution to you and of dele- 
gating to you the great work herein written out in full, would not 
be followed by a failure after I am dead. Therefore, whether in 
tjie flesh I give you your instructions, or whether I lead you to 
jour destiny through the frog, it will be all the same ultimately. 

44 4 You now see how a successful termination of my efforts on 
•earth can affect me, and how your doing your duty after I am dead 
•can be of advantage to me, and how you will stand affected if you 
>do right or do wrong. Be wise, and beware ! ’ 

44 Now, after what I had experienced, I could not doubt a word 
of the manuscript, and would naturally expect to see it prove as 
true and correct as my experience had thus far proved it to be. I 
never had the honor of a personal interview with Captain Black- 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


21 


heart ; but I must confess that it did really seem to me that he 
had been successful in finding me. I could not doubt his presence 
in the frog, for, if any creature on earth was ever possessed, the 
old frog was, while the visit of the frogs about my house led me 
to think that Captain Blackheart was around still. He did not 
claim to be good, but penitent. 

“ Now, as I have found my fortune, I conclude it will be very 
satisfactory to examine and count every dollar, to see if what I 
now possess in my own right and as trustee agrees with the manu- 
script— as all are* naturally anxious to count their money, and if 
they find they have an abundance, they usually sit back to enjoy 
it. So I will bid the reader adieu, while I count my money.” 


CHAPTER III. 

The last chapter closes the autobiography of Prank Friend- 
less; but his biographer will continue the story, only changing 
its complexion somewhat. Though Prank might continue to tell 
the truth, and nothing but the truth, should he continue the story 
himself, yet, as people are not so likely to be exact in relating 
what they hardly care to have known, as they are in stating what 
they enjoy telling, we fear it might be so with Frank. We will 
therefore save him from the temptation by coming to his assist- 
ance. Besides, he finding himself very busy, we can be more 
particular ; and as we have no selfish motives, we shall only write 
the facts, following as near as possible Prank’s example. 

Frank had never seen a great deal of money, nor many dia- 
monds or precious jewels ; and though he could count gold and 
silver as well as any one, yet this part of the fortune was only a 
small part ; and had it not been for the fortunate circumstance 
that the old pirate had turned his vast wealth into diamonds to a 
large extent — probably for convenience in handling — the vast 


*22 FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER ; OR, 

treasure would have been so bulky that it would have been a 
bother to Frank from the moment he made its discovery. Fortu- 
nately, the diamonds and all the jewels were found in small bags 
of proper size, and all marked with their estimated value — thus 
making their aggregate worth a matter of easy calculation. 

Frank pondered long over his posessions — both that of his 
own and the wealth entrusted to his care. He lived in a new 
world. How he longed to tell his departed parents of his good 
luck ! And he began to reason that, if some of the interested 
departed knew of earthly things, why could not all : and if so, the 
entire spirit world knew all about the affairs of mortal life. 

Men are often tempted to do what, when the opportunity 
offers, they had before looked upon with horror. So it was with 
Frank: he wanted to keep all the wealth entrusted to him; and he 
finally thought he would try the experiment , at any rate. And thus 
feeling, he retired for the night without saying his prayers or 
giving thanks ; and, owing to the fatigue of the day, he soon went 
to sleep. How long he slept he could not tell, in his fright, for he 
was wakened very suddenly,, and found, to his horror, a large frog 
for his companion, sitting on his bosom ; and when he put forth 
his hand to the object, and felt the cold and slimy reptile, he was 
seized with an ague-chill, as though the monster had chilled him 
to the heart. His teeth chattered, and had he been shaken by a 
giant, he would have fared no Avorse in his grasp than he did while 
the ague was on him. 

Frank’s first thought was to curse the fortune and the old 
pirate, with all the frogs in existence. As soon as the chill passed 
off, he felt such a heat, that the clothing he had added to his bed 
he was glad to remove ; and in his feverish thirst he sought the 
water-bucket. And what was his horror to find a confounded big 
frog in the pail of water, which, upon his approach, leaped out ; 
and he felt but little like quenching his thirst with that water. 
He therefore went for a fresh supply, and, after slaking his thirst, 
he again retired, and soon found relief in a thorough sweat. 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


23 


The frogs were gone in the morning, and lie, feeling better, 
cailie to the conclusion that it was mere chance that they got into 
the house and out again. And it was a natural conclusion, after 
the presence of so great a number on the night before. 

Though much better in the morning, Frank felt somewhat 
prostrated from his recent adventures and his severe chill. He 
was hardly able to stir, and found great difficulty in seeing to his 
wants. But after making a fire and getting his breakfast nearly 
ready, what was his surprise to find another frog in his very bread- 
dish, which leaped away, upon being disturbed. 

Frank now came to the conclusion that he had better make a 
move toward the restoration of the million, as a commencement 
in doing right, for his froggy experience had not been enjoyable, 
while his reflections led him to think that he might have frogs often 
for company as bed-fellows, and about the house as common as 
vermin sometimes are, thereby reminding him of his wrongfulness 
in neglecting his duty — telling him as plainly of his wickedness as 
a human tongue could do — showing him that he was as much 
under condemnation as the old pirate was himself — reminding him 
that the restless old pirate would lipid and exercise the power to 
harm him while he still continued unfaithful. These thoughts led 
him to resolve to move in the path of duty. 

The next day, however, he again changed his mind, as no 
frogs were about to remind hirh of his previous resolve. The evil 
which had come upon him stirred up his guilty conscience, but 
• when, the evil departed because of his resolve to do right, he was 
fearless again. So he retired at night without having taken a step 
toward meeting his obligations ;• and consoling himself that he 
was not only rich, but smart enough to take care of his suddenly 
found wealth, he went to sleep, only to dream that he was having 
a dinner of frogs, and that the meat was tough, and even raw, 
and, finally, that his dinner of frogs was alive, and even strangling 
him ; and in his attempt to swallow he awoke, to find the hind leg 
of a frog half way down his throat, scratching like a frightened 


24 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER*, OR, 


cat to free itself from destruction. Frank assisted readily in free- 
ing himself and his frogsliip from the scrape into which he 
believed the very Devil had brought them ; for the frog was as 
unwilling to go down Frank’s throat as he was unwilling to have 
him go ; and Frank as much disliked his scratching and kicking as 
the frog disliked the way he was dashed across the room and 
through the window and down upon the ground. 

After spitting and gagging for a few moments, he went to the 
water-bucket to get some water to rinse his mouth, and, as he had 
thoughtfully covered his pail of water, to keep out dirty /rogs, if 
there should happen to be any about, he supposed he would find 
the water all right ; but as frogs know where to find water b}' 
instinct, and will always hop into it if it is within their reach, 
especially when they wish to escape any danger, it so happened 
that, as he raised the cover, a nasty frog, in his fright at being 
disturbed at such an unreasonable hour, leaped in ; and in fury 
Frank dashed pail and all through the window. 

He now started for the pump, and being] barefooted, and 
finding himself stepping on frogs, he was glad to retreat; and as 
he had spit so much before he got dressed, he felt^like cursing all 
the frogs on earth, and Him who created them, and especially the 
old pirate, who had recently employed a big old frog as a medium 
through which to introduce him to his lawful right — his fortune. 
He could not see why he should be cursed to such an extent for 
becoming rich, and he felt that he was worse oft' than he was the 
day he started forth to seek his fortune. 

He had been good ; but gold had as quickly transformed him 
into a wicked man as it had n^ade him suddenly rich. He once 
more resolved to do his duty, his full faith returning that he at 
first had in the manuscript. He took a seat and wrote the follow- 
ing without further delay : 

“ Information wanted of the heirs of Israel Nathaniel. A 
fortune awaits them. Address F. F., at the office of this paper. 

“ N. B.— Clear proofs must be furnished, sufficiently conclusive 
to convince the most skeptical.” 


/ 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 




The above he had inserted in a popular advertising paper.. 
He was amazed to hear the croaking of frogs as he wrote. He 
began to think his case was like old Pharaoh’s when God cursed 
Egypt with the plague of frogs. 

Of course he suspected who would answer, and he knew who> 
was entitled to a million of the money he had in his possession. 
And soon he received an answer from Miss Nathaniel. 

He visited the young lady, whom he found an orphan and 
poor, though respectable; and he found her conversant with the 
piratical robbery of her grandfather; and inasmuch as he had no 
doubts, he at once informed her of all that is known to the reader, 
including his first adventure and discovery, the reading of the 
manuscript, his temptation and yielding thereto, and his entire 
experience among the frogs; and finally, as he was free to marry,, 
he offered her his hand; and the young lady, also being free, ac- 
cepted the offer ; and as there were no reasons why they should 
defer it, they concluded to unite in marriage at once. 

They repaired to a clergyman’s house in the evening to have 
the marriage ceremony performed. At its conclusion, and just as 
Frank handed a most munificent fee to the minister — feeling his 
riches, and reflecting that his father had been a clergyman — a 
funny exhibition greeted the wedding-party — they were saluted by 
a most strange croaking of frogs. But whether it was because 
Frank paid so liberally, pleasing the old pirate by doing good 
with his money, or whether he was pleased on account of the 
marriage, and so got up the serenade, we are unable to determine.. 

The frogs seemed to be all about the premises and on every 
side — big bull-frogs, and frogs of all sizes and all sounds, from 
the grum rumbling like thunder, or the low mutterings of a bull, 
to the sharp sound of the smaller kinds, resembling the drawing of 
a cart over stones, and the squeaking or peeping kind, resembling 
the key of the fife. 

How this wonderful demonstration of the frogs was brought 
about we do not pretend to know, and suppose it will remain- 


26 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER ; OR, 


\ 


a mystery, not having the explanation that was given con- 
cerning the wonderful visitation of frogs in the days of the old 
hard-hearted King Pharaoh. We know how the first big frog 
came to appear in the fortunes of Frank, and whether the old 
pirate had influence enough with the Devil and all evil spirits, and 
whether they had so great a power over the frogs as to get up this 
concert, we cannot say. It was a great mystery. 

Frank was not much surprised, after what he had personally 
experienced; but as his bride had had no experience among frogs, 
she was more astonished than edified ; while the minister and his 
folks thought “ the devil was to pay.” 

Frank took his wife and her effects to his house, where he 
made over to her for safe keeping all the gold and diamonds, say- 
ing to her that, as they were one, they mutually would hold the 
great wealth of the unknown heirs, and if they could not find any 
cf them, as they had no clue, they then would do their duty to the 
best of their ability, while the gratification of spending the money 
would repay them well. Ah! the}' did not know what was to 
come. 


CHAPTER IV. 

It was natural and reasonable that Frank and his wife in the 
first place should .seek their own comfort, interest and happiness; 
and this course they took, thinking that in due tine they would do 
their duty to others. The old pirate could hardly expect them to 
-do differently, and if he would only let them alone, they would 
square accounts with the world in which they lived, if possible, 
and with the one below too, they thought. 

As to the world above, Frank began to think it was not inter- 
esting, or, that he felt not much interest in it, after all ; while old 
Dlackheart, it appears, had interested Heaven sufficiently to ob- 
tain a power to act for his own advantage — though undoubtedly 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


27 


against the will of Old Satan, and such lost spirits as might 
wander in darkness for ages before gaining the hope that the old 
pirate had found on account of his remorse and repentance. 

Now, Frank’s name (Friendless) did not correspond with the 
facts surrounding him ; for, so far, he had not an enemy on earth, 
though many good and powerful friends. 

He now, with the consent of his wife, bought the largest and 
most valuable tract of land within the reach of his present hum- 
ble home, and at once commenced to erect a building that was 
suitable for a king; for he felt that inasmuch as the two fortunes 
were united, and at present several more millions under their 
control, he would like to found a “Home,” and take a position 
that would for all time be considered the starting-point of a great 
people. 

Now, Heaven, Earth and Hell looked on in silence, so far as 
Frank was concerned, but all the world, so far as he was known, 
commenced to wonder ; and though his townsmen were employed 
by him, and were paid a fair remuneration, yet they were only the 
more perplexed at his great and sudden wealth; and as they 
knew gold did not rain down from Heaven, they had curious 
thoughts and conversations in reference to his finances. 

The thought, too, that riches were so changing their old min- 
ister’s son, filled them with anxiety and alarm. Finally, after the 
great and grand house was completed, there came a change. 

During all the process of buying and building Frank had 
seen no indications of the displeasure of old Blackheart, and there 
was really danger of his forgetting him entirety. But the old 
pirate had not forgotten him— he had only remained quiet till 
Frank had accomplished what was reasonable and proper, so 
that the way would be clear for the discharge of his duty undis- 
turbed— that is, to dispose of the wealth in his hands as he had 
been directed. 

But very few persons could be fouhd suitable to occupy the 
place where Frank and his wife now stood. The temptation to 


28 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER*, OR, 


carry out their own views and interests , 1 regardless of the old 
pirate’s power, would be too great for them to resist. 

Well, as it is said that money changes men, it had this power 
on Frank. It rooted out all his pious instructions, and made him 
a believer in chance and fate. His humility departed. He was 
now the richest man in all the country round about. He began to 
feel and show his importance, and he soon so greatly changed, 
that all his old friends changed to. 

How, they were, in reality, of more value than all his gold; 
but he was blind, and knew it not. He was aware of the change 
in the feelings of friends, as much as he was of the real change in 
his worldly circumstances ; for they showed, in their deportment 
toward him, what their sentiments were. 

But he was quite indifferent to all these things. If he had 
any feeling on the subject, it was that he rather liked it; for he, 
being so far above his former position and friends, thought it all 
right that this feeling should exist, and, as he was to be the rep- 
resentative head of a great family, he was quite anxious that all 
should not only see the difference, but feel it too. He believed 
that by the happy chance which had already commenced he would 
ultimately stand on the very pinnacle of honor and fame. 

Frank now determined to surprise all around with an enter- 
tainment worthy of a king. He had furnished his mansion from 
the city, costing him in the aggregate hundreds of thousands. He 
could afford it— two millions of his own, and four millions in trust, 
which he began to consider hi$ also. And, by the way, Frank and 
his wife were one in all things. 

It would be interesting to describe the great establishment in. 
all its parts and appurtenances, but it will be more interesting to 
note events and their results. So we pause only to say, that all 
that art and skill could do to make Frank’s house what eye had 
seldom seen, was considered necessary to make a house suitable 
as a residence for the richest man in the country. 

After Frank had all completed, he prepared to carry into exe- 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


29 


cution his determination, and so, surprise liis friends; for though 
they had seen much and heard more, yet he wished them to see 
that it was no idle boast that he was so much above his fellow- 
men. 

He therefore invited all to a grand party — men, women and 
children — including many of the grandees of the city, who had 
heard of his fabulous wealth and princely establishment. He also 
secured the most celebrated band of music to entertain his guests, 
and also the best cooks, besides purchasing in the city all such 
things as would add in making up an entertainment fit for lords, 
dukes and kings. Such a grand reception was never witnessed in 
all the country. Frank’s wife was so richly dressed and so mag- 
nificently decked off with diamonds, that all wonder at once 
ceased in reference to the source from which Frank had derived 
his wealth — as it was not till after his marriage that it was known 
he had a “mint of money.” Of course this was very gratifying 
to both Frank and his wife, as no suspicions of the real truth 
would arise. 

Time passed pleasantly. The different rooms were all filled, 
and a high gay time they were having, when, all at once, a big 
bull-frog jumped among the happy dancers, with a most horrid 
hoarse croaking ; so that while the ladies ran and screamed, the 
men roared with laughter, until they began to think some envious 
person had introduced his frogship for mischief, which conclusion 
changed their mood, causing them to feel like pounding whoever 
he might be. For a season all was confusion. 

At last order was restored, and all began to discuss frogs in 
particular, and “ in every style.” And, now, as the guests had 
taken lively exercise, and the time had come for the grand repast, 
they all felt they could do it ample justice; therefore, as soon as 
all were seated, and all indications pointed to a feast of the first 
class, many expressed themselves in a lively manner, saying that 
it was a happy occasion, both to host and guests. 

But all at once there came such a swarm of frogs upon the 


30 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER; OR, 


table — into everything — on all sides — all through the house simul- 
taneously, that the women shrieked, the boys flew to arms — 
thinking it a part of the programme — and the men thought and 
said that hell had vomited up all the frogs in existence. There 
was no such thing as eating or drinking any more, and all has- 
tened to prepare for departure. The men found frogs in their 
hats, and the ladies were equally favored. Such a hurrying they 
all made to escape the presence of the frogs, that all was con- 
fusion within the house ; and it was a wonder none were injured. 
And as they emerged from the premises, such a concert of frogs 
as greeted them only served to hasten their departure, not even 
the city folks feeling inclined to “ tarry for a night'.” 

Various were the opinions to which this affair gave rise. Some 
even conjectured that their host had a pond of frogs for his own 
epicurean taste, and that a mischievous wag had set them all free. 
But Frank and his wife understood it all, and showed their horror 
in their countenances ; though the guests thought it was only the 
frogs and not their guilt, that made them look so horror-stricken. 
In the next place, Frank got the name of “ Old Pharaoh,” his place 
“Egypt,” and the great grand opening “The Plague of Frogs;” 
and all the pious ones considered their old minister’s son cursed 
for departing from the footsteps of his father ; and through the 
gossip of servants all the comments came to the ears of Frank 
and his wife. Consequently, instead of feeling elated at the 
grand opening, they felt only depression, and were convinced by 
experience that riches alone did not constitute happiness. 

A full description of the grand mansion and all its appurte- 
naces, of the fabulous wealth of Frank, of the grand opening and 
all parts of the programme, of the episode of the flrst big bull- 
frog and the culmination of the horrible Egyptian-like swarms of 
them, of closing the great occasion abruptly and in disgust, was, 
on the following morning, in all the city papers, with comments 
and opinions in reference to all things connected therewith. Dif- 
ferent editors and reporters had different opinions. While some- 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


31 


adduced natural causes for the occurrence, others, who thought 
themselves more scientific, offered very absurd reasons ; and again 
others declared the affair to be miraculous, and boldly asserted 
that it was a repetition of the the curse of Egypt, and for a similar 
cause — an account of which is as follows, and found in Exodus, 
chapter 8th : 

“And the Lord spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say 
unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may 
serve me. And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite 
all thy borders with frogs : 

“ And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall 
go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and 
upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy 
people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs. 

“ And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, 
and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. 

“Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, En- 
treat the Lord, that he may take aifray the frogs from me, and 
from my people, and I will let the people go, that they may do 
sacrifice unto the Lord. And Moses cried unto the Lord because 
of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh. And the 
frogs died out ; and they gathered them together upon heaps ; and 
the land stank.” 

Xow this great scourge was enough to make Frank promise 
over again that he would, in the future, do right. And, as he had 
entirely ceased to pray, he concluded to begin again. He felt that 
he could better afford to part with the pirate’s gold than to expe- 
rience a repetition of the fearful ordeal through which he had 
already passed. 

They had enough to do next day clearing away dead frogs and 
ruined articles, and restoring the house to order. 

Frank saw no more frogs for a long time. He now concluded 
to redeem his obligations by building a church for the town. 
After this was all completed, he then built a hospital. He saw 


32 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER', OR, 


no frogs during all this'time ; and he decided to have another party 
at his house, and have as grand an affair as the first. 

He accordingly issued invitations to all the poor, the halt, and 
the blind to his feast, and then a general invitation to any who 
might feel disposed to come. Scores of the poor, the lame and 
the blind were there. It was a curious sight. 

Several reporters and a number of ministers were present. 
Hot a frog was seen. And all the world spoke as highly in praise 
of the affair, and in honor of Frank, as they had before in the 
opposite direction; hence he felt as much in degree elated and 
thankful as, on the other occason, he felt depressed. He had now 
shown himself as good and wise as he was rich. And he felt that 
he not only had the favor of the poor, halt, lame and blind, but 
of his Maker too, and mankind in general, and the old pirate and 
frogs in particular. 

He not only saw, but felt the contrast between the present 
•and past as to his standing in society; and he felt that if the 
affairs of his life were to again be as he had experienced them, he 
would not only be willing to do good with the money he was 
holding in trust, but with his own too, if he could not escape in 
any other way. 

It is fortunate that man can be made willing to do his duty. 
But, like others, there was danger of Frank relapsing and again 
backsliding. 

He had now disposed of one million, and as there were no 
particular directions given him, he was only to follow his own 
judgment in doing good with the pirate’s gold. 

He finally advertised for relatives of any who had been robbed 
by pirates during a certain number of years, which must have 
included the entire period of old Blackheart, judging from the 
time of the robbery of his grandfather. He concluded that, in 
taking such a course, he might do what the old pirate would have 
done, had he lived long enough to reach those whom he had 
wronged. He required the clearest proofs from all who might 
claim to be heirs of such a piratical victim. 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


33 


It is true this looked liked seeking the favor of the Evil One ; 
though he sometimes felt liking making over to others the entire 
amount, that he might be relieved of the great duty of dispensing 
money holden in trust, when the benefits to him were so small, 
but he would soon give up that thought ; and no sooner would he 
begin to entertain such an idea, than he would hear the croak of 
a big bull-frog, just as though his mind was known to the frogs. 
The following advertisement brought answers from several : 

“ To Whom it may Concern : — Information wanted of the heirs 

of any of the victims of the pirates during the period of , which 

embraced the time of the piratical career of a noted pirate. To 
such it will be of advantage to apply, with clear proof, to F. F., at 
the office of this paper.” 

It did look as though the old pirate had delegated his affairs 
to the right one, after all, and that his agent would fill the place 
which he himself could not. But after a season of respite from 
annoyance, Frank would yield to the temptation of Old Satan — 
who wanted to defer the release of the old pirate — and so grow 
bold again, and, as before, neglect his duty. 


CHAPTER Y. 

Frank now turned his attention to the numerous letters he 
received in response to his card; and though he had demanded 
clear proof, he began to feel indifferent, and there was danger of 
his bestowing the old pirate’s money upon some who were not 
entitled to it, and who would prove to be no better than the old 
pirate had been. 

He received a letter from one of his most active persecutors 
during his troubles among the frogs. He was quite willing to 
communicate with him, and though his proofs were far from satis- 
factory, yet in the old pirate’s manuscript it was stated that any 
one obtaining any part of the fortune unjustly, would be as greatly 

2 


34 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER ; OR, 


tormented as he himself would be should he neglect his duty, 
which Frank concluded would be quite satisfactory to him, as he 
would enjoy seeing the wicked man paid back in his own coin, 
while at the same time it would lead him to see that, inasmuch as 
he had rejoiced in his neighbor’s downfall, a worse thing had come 
upon himself. 

So Frank had twenty-five thousand dollars secretly sent to 
him, as that was what he claimed as the sum to which he was 
entitled. Others he served in a like manner, though he believed 
their claims well founded. 

The man who had obtained the twenty-fiv v e thousand dollars 
had, in fact, forged all the proofs of his statement, and had 
received, what he had no right or title to, by false representations. 
But accompanying the money was a notice, stating that he would 
regret his course if he had been dishonest in the transaction. And, 
to his cost, he found it too true ; for hardly had he invested his 
money before he found that riches bring a snare. 

He had only settled down to a comfortable life, when many 
expressed surprise at his changing a poor house for a grand one. 
The change was so sudden and great for one in his mode of life, 
that many suggested dishonest means had been resorted to to 
obtain his riches. But the rumor could not be traced to its origin, 
which gratified him exceedingly, for he would have been very 
unwilling to show the source of his wealth in order to refute what 
he knew to be true. 

But something now took place which surprised him very much, 
and all his family and friends. It did not surprise Frank, however, 
as he had his suspicions of the man; but having been anxious to 
get rid of what had been a bother to him, he did not look into the 
evidence as he would have done under other circumstances. He 
also remembered that the old pirate was to look after any one 
who obtained any of the money wrongfully, which was another 
reason why he was not so cautious, as they would be detected, and 
be compelled to do with the money, so obtained, as he had been 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST 


35 


doing, and he, in this way, would find help in disposing of it, 
besides having the old pirate’s attention turned in another direc- 
tion. Thus, as we have said, Frank and his wife were not sur- 
prised at what transpired in the affairs of this cunning man. 

The man who had been so smart in obtaining the money was 
named Webber. He was called “Elder,” and was a prating 
hypocrite. lie commenced life as a very low specimen of human- 
ity, and had obtained a reputation for all conceivableness of 
deviltry. He would lie, cheat and steal; but when at his height 
of wickedness he was fearfully exposed, and to redeem himself he 
professed religion and joined the Methodist Church. He had been 
lame from early life; therefore, after his conversion, people were 
ready to say that, because of his lameness, he could not work, and 
that he was not to be censured like an able-bodied man who lived 
by the villainy of his wits rather than work. And the church 
thought that, inasmuch as he had to steal, lie and cheat to get 
along through life before conversion, that he had better be a 
minister, and by preaching obtain as much as he formely did by 
cheating and stealing. 

The Elder was a cunning knave, and thought that while he 
obtained an honest living by preaching to sinners, he could, under 
cover of his religion, gain just as much by his old tricks, and so 
lay up what he thus gained, instead of using it, and have treasure 
on earth as well as in heaven. 

So he went on preaching, and soon had his advocates, as well 
as any other preacher ; and as he was as much a watchman for 
any new devilish enterprise as he was on the walls of Zion, he 
discovered, as he thought, an opportunity to make something 
handsome. 

He saw that, by a well-told story of his grandfather having 
been robbed, giving the date and amount of the robbery, and 
making oath that, according to his best knowledge and belief, the 
statement was correct, and also that he was the only known heir, 
backed by his influential standing as a Methodist minister, together 


36 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER ; OR 


with recommendations from other clergymen, he might succeed in 
what he thought a new opening. 

He succeeded with F. F., who was ready and willing to 
comply, and accept the statement as though there could be no 
mistake, or that it was as true as the Elder’s gospel itself. 

As we have stated, something new occurred in the Elder’s 
<career. Soon after settlement in his new house, he went on the 
^Sabbath to preach, as usual, and took for his text : 

“ Lay not up treasures on earth, where moth and rust doth 
corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal ; but lay up 
for yourselves treasures in Heaven; for where your treasure is, 
there your heart will be also.” 

Now, whether a good or evil spirit led him to take this text, 
it is impossible to determine ; but he undoubtedly thought himself 
happy in his selection, and expected to be so in his sermon. 

He discoursed on earthly and heavenly riches, and showed 
the different ways of obtaining earthly and heavenly treasure, and 
also presented the contrast between the enjojnment of the two 
kinds of riches, and showed fully the durability of riches in 
Heaven, and the liability of earthly riches taking wings and 
flying away ; and as he reached this point in his remarks, and felt 
that he was having a good time and making a favorable impres- 
sion, he heard a most unearthly bellowing right under his feet, as 
did also the whole congregation; and though a lame man, and 
■filled with holy boldness, and not afraid of the Devil, he gave a 
mighty leap and landed on the top of the pulpit. He then turned 
around to see if the very Devil himself was not at his heels, while 
many of the brethren and a few courageous sisters ran to see what 
sort of an unearthly monster had disturbed the meeting. To their 
surprise they beheld a great old bull-frog, looking as sedate and 
dignified as the Elder himself, only a great deal more so; but in 
the twinkling of an eye he jumped through an open window and 
made his escape. 

The Elder thought that some wicked boy had put the frog 


THE PIRATE’S C4H0ST. 


37 


there ; but others, who saw him retire like a flash, thought he had 
come in accidentally the same way he went out. But it was an 
entirely new experience, and made a lasting impression on the 
Elder, as much so as his sermon had on his hearers. 

Elder Webber had received too great a shock to do any more 
preaching that day, so he called on one of his “ class-leaders” to 
close by prayer. 

Some of the boys ran out immediately, after the frog took his 
short cut from the presence of the Elder; for they had never 
heard a bull bellow louder, nor ever saw so big a frog ; and while 
some said he was large enough to ride home on, if they could but 
catch him, others wanted him to exhibit as a wonder. But he 
was gone from mortal sight. 

Now, the Elder had ridden to church on account of his lame- 
ness ; and as he usually rode in a gig when he was a professional 
horse-jockey, he still kept it up when riding alone ; so, when he 
stepped into his gig, there sat the old bull-frog, which appeared 
to be as afraid of the Elder as though he thought him the “ Evil 
One,” and with another bellow he jumped, and this time directly 
on the Elder’s horse, which, being a high-spirited animal, quicker 
than thought sprang into a run for his life. The Elder, being 
upon his feet, went heels over head, and, landing among the 
brethren and sisters, knocked several of them sprawling, and all 
the breath out of himself. The fright, somersault, and jar com- 
pletely confused him ; and as one of the brethren inquired : “ Are 
you dead, brother Webber?” he replied, “No, but I can’t speak.” 
But presently he recovered his breath, and inquired where he was. 
Probably he thought he had reached the end of his career. 

He soon revived, and rode home with one of the brethren. 
He said he would never preach there again. He was certain the 
boys had done the trick. 

The old horse, with the gig, kept on running till there was 
nothing left but the horse and afew pieces of the harness. He had 
been as greatly frightened as the Elder himself. The experience 


38 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER ; OR 


was entirely new to him, and the weight of the frog alone — which 
was as large as a full-gfown cat — to say nothing of its terrific 
bellowing and scratching, was sufficient of itself to frighten the 
horse most to death. 

When the Elder arrived at home, feeling more u out of sorts” 
than it would be Christian-like to manifest, he went to his sleep- 
ing-room to lie down while his wife prepared dinner ; for they had 
not expected him, as he usually dined with the brethren on Sun- 
days. Thus while he was helping his flock to lay up treasure in 
Heaveu,he was laying up some for himself on earth by saving 
his dinners. , 

So, when he retired he felt the need of a spiritual comforter, 
and as he always kept a good supply of the best Holland gin on 
hand, he took a full dram, to make up for the spiritual comfort 
out of which he had been cheated. After thus strengthening his 
shattered nerves, he turned to his bed and lay down; but, oh, 
horror! his face came in contact with a monster frog, which, with 
a hoarse croak, and a squirt of cold water in the Elder’s face, 
hopped oft’. 

This third encounter with the “ devilish frog,” as the Elder 
called him, came very near throwing him into a fit. Had it not 
been for the gin which he had taken, and another “swig” after 
his fright in bed, he might have fared worse. But forthwith he 
went for the frog ; and the two big drams having begun to work 
strongly, he rushed, in his limping way, all over the house, occa- 
sionally obtaining a glimpse of the frog, but never overtaking it. 

His family by this time, and several of the brethren who came 
in, thought him out of his mind by reason of his adventure at the 
church: and in the latter instance the frog having appeared and 
disappeared without being seen by any one but the Elder himself, 
they thought it only imaginary on his part, which not only 
irritated him, but led to his taking another dram. 

Elder Webber’s adventure spread like “wild-fire,” as all 
marvellous and laughable news will, and Frank at once heard of 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


39 


it ; and though he knew by experience how to pity, it is presumed 
that he was heartless in the present instance. He felt, too, that 
while he was having a respite from old Blackheart, he was 
entitled to look on as others had in his case. 

That night Elder Webber heard a bellowing and croaking of 
frogs in all directions — under the bed— on the bed — in all the 
rooms, and around the house — all sorts and sizes being present. 
All at once he realized that the “Old Boy,” instead of boys, had 
introduced the first old frog, and all the subsequent ones. He at 
once covered his head with the bed-clothes ; but to his disgust and 
alarm he found several frogs for company. He now became 
unusually lively. He made a retreat out of the door, only half 
clad. But he ran into trouble instead of out, for he found himself 
surrounded with frogs. Live coals of fire would not make one 
more lively than cold, clammy frogs. And this was the Elder’s 
experience, judging from his antic abilities. 

The entire family had been aroused. How the frogs got into 
the house was a mystery which no one could solve. 

Elder Webber remembered the experience of Frank Friend- 
less, and he thought at once that their cases were similar. And 
inasmuch as Frank would know how to pity him, and be capable 
of advising him, he made a call on him ; and this is what he said : 

“ Mr. Friendless, you have heard of my singular encounter 
with the frogs, and as your experience and judgment will enable 
you, and your goodness of heart prompt you, to give me good 
advice, I have come to see you; and I hope you will not consider 
it an intrusion, but will counsel me like a brother.” 

The Elder had changed his mind about Frank since his own 
froggy experience, and realized that, when he was scoffing at 
Frank’s Egyptian-like curse, his perplexities by inhuman mon- 
sters were quite enough to bear without adding to his already too 
great burden by persecution. He was now glad to go to him, 
that, by availing himself of his experience, he might escape what 
he feared had come upon him for meting out such a measure as 
he had to an already afflicted family. 


40 FRANK FRIENDLESS AKD ELDER WEBBER ; OR, 

“Elder Webber,’’ replied Frank, “I need not relate my 
experience with the frogs, as that is already known to all. Such 
singular occurrences can not be hidden. But a portion of my 
experience, I think, will be an advantage to you, which is this : 
You know that I have done some important good works; though 
I do not speak of them as a subject of which to boast, but to 
intimate to you the course I took to rid myself of the frogs ; for 
certain I am'that I had to sacrifice gold to the cause of humanity to 
appease him (meaning old Blackheart), who sent the frogs to me, 
as I am of my own existence. So you see the course I took, and 
the results. If my experience in the manner of finding relief can 
be of advantage to you, you are welcome to it. Though I have 
not disclosed to the public my reason for doing such apparent 
good works (I cannot call them acts of benevolence), yet the 
people all know what I have done ; but to you I tell my motive , 
that perchance you may profit thereby.” 

Frank was honest in his statement. His good works were not 
acts of benevolence of his own, but in behalf of the old pirate, 
that he might be assisted in the other world, while Frank got the 
credit in this. He was only doing with the gold as directed. It 
was not his, only as trustee; and the Elder by his knavish wit had 
obtained, to a limited extent, a sub-agency; therefore Frank 
knew where the .trouble with the Elder was to be traced, and how 
to talk to him, as the Elder by his future experience was made to 
understand. 

“Well, well,” said the Elder, “I suppose you happened, to 
do the good deeds, and the frogs happened to leave at that juncture. 
But what can I do ? I have only a comfortable home and 
surroundings ; I can not do as you were enabled to do. So, if 
there is no other way of escape from the attacks of the frogs, I 
fear they will be my companions continually.” 

“ Of course,” added Frank, “ if you do not feel it your duty to 
follow my example, you will not ; but I venture to prophesy that 
you will not only be willing but glad to give all you possess. 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


41 


before you get through with your experience with the frogs, or at 
least before you find yourself where you were one year ago.” 

“ You think then,” said the Elder, in conclusion, M that I have 
an offended God to appease, and that, if I had not come to you 
for counsel, I might have gone on in my blindness, or stumbled on 
the right course — as you think you did. Well, you must have had 
a guilty conscience, if your course was prompted to release you 
from the thraldom of the frogs.” 

U I considered the visitation of the frogs a curse, as they were 
in the days of old king Pharaoh ; and you will live to see whether 
I am right or wrong,” replied Mr. F. Friendless. 

On his way home Elder Webber thought over his situation , 
and here is his soliloquy : 

“ I don’t see how Friendless can be right, for I used to servo 
the Devil right smartly, and do now, when I get a good sly 
chance. And I know if I had been going to get punished in this 
world, it would have begun before. I don’t believe a word of his 
advice. And he spoke as though the intimations of some, in 
reference to my worldly prosperity of late, might be true — that 
is, that I obtained my property by some other than right means; 
and though I did play smart, no one knows of it, for it was a 
fortune none living can say was not mine, and therefore there was 
no risk, as none could dispute what I pretended took place before 
any one now living was born. But can it possibly have been that 
this was the very cause of my trouble ? I will watch closely- 
Perhaps it only happened so in my case. But I would have- 
preferred its happening to some one else.” 

As the Elder rode along he saw, with disgust, a big bull-frog^ 
sitting directly in the middle of the street, and, quick as a flash, 
he gave his horse a smart blow with his whip (it was the same 
horse which, with the Elder, had been so greatly disgusted with 
the frog at the church). He gave a start forward, with the design 
of passing on one side of the great monster. But the Elder 
wished to pass over him, and so crush him to death, out of 


42 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER ; OR, 


revenge; for he looked just like the one he encountered at church. 
As the horse shied, he pulled the rein the other way ; but the frog 
making two or three great springs, placed himself a rod or two 
in advance, and sedately looked at the swiftly approaching team. 
This so infuriated the Elder and his horse that they both seemed 
determined, this time, to run him down. But the frog, making a 
jump, landed in the carriage, with his regular bellow. The horse 
let fly his heels at the same time ; and the Elder, between having 
the frog for a passenger and the kicking of the horse, let fall the 
reins. The horse, with lightning-like speed, took his way home- 
ward ; and through the Elder shouting to the animal to check his 
speed, and the hoarse bellowing of the frog, he was nearly frightened 
to death. Thus the Elder, seeing his life endangered by remaining 
in the wagon, jumped from his seat. But fortunately he fell on 
soft ground, and was only stunned. When he opened his eyes, 
the first object that met his sight was his old companion, the frog, 
sitting within a foot of his face. 

Had the Devil been there himself the Elder could not have 
felt worse. He was soon on his feet, and, curious to relate, the 
frog was by his side, or very near, all the way. He knew now 
that the presence of the frog meant more than he was willing to 
■acknowledge. 

He was soon met by one of his neighbors, who had been 
-despatched for him after the return of the horse with the shattered 
carriage. The neighbor seemed to feel that the Elder was 
possessed of the Deyil, or that the frogs were, and was not a little 
■alarmed to see and hear the old frog. He returned with the 
Elder, as fast as his steady old horse could go, the frog keeping 
-company by long leaps and a constant bellowing. 

The Elder was glad to get home, and his neighbor to get 
■away. Soon after, the frog too, on giving a parting bellow, 
hopped suddenly off. 

The Elder was nearly used up, and was as sick of frogs as he 
had been of being poor ; but still he thought he could stand it as 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 43 

long as the frogs could. So he took more gm and went to bed, 
and to sleep, but only for a short time. Frogs in vast numbers 
soon began to hop into the house, which caused his entire family, 
in alarm, to run to the Elder and beseech him to get up and pray. 
So he hurried up and turned out more gin ; and just as he put it to 
his mouth a little frog hopped in, and down the Elder’s throat it 
went at a gulp. 

Now this was having “ frogs in every style.” But the Elder 
having caught a glimpse of him, and having felt him scratch and 
struggle as he swallowed him, saw that he was in a serious 
condition, and in alarm called in a doctor, who gave him an 
emetic, which brought the frog up, still alive. The doctor said he 
did not see how they could help getting frogs down their throats 
unless they kept their mouths shut, and advised them to strain 
all liquids, as the frog had a natural inclination for water. He 
also said it was fortunate that they did not bite; He had no 
further advice to give than, inasmuch as frogs were not poisonous, 
but good for food, that tliev all turn to and eat all they could, 
and thereby diminish the vast number ; though he thought it best 
to cook them properly. The doctor was a Frenchman. 

The poor Elder felt like taking himself off, and so did his 
entire family, and thus leave the frogs in possession. They 
started for their nearest neighbor’s, but to their dismay found 
themselves accompanied by the frogs. When they arrived the 
neighbor had to close their doors against the frogs, which 
excluded the Elder and all his family. 

Such a bellowing and croaking and piping as the frogs made, 
nearly drove the Elder to despair and desperation. He saw 
clearly that he was the object of interest to the frogs, and so did 
his family. They all started upon the run again for their home ; 
and as the family arrived in advance of the Elder, they were 
elated to find the frogs all gone. Soon he came limping back, 
“ more dead than alive,” but found even his own door shut 
against him, while he was surrounded by frogs, making their 


44 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER*, OR, 


infernal din, hopping on him, squirting water over him, making 
him think the Devil himself was in them, and that he was really 
cursed of the Most High. His family were safely inside out of 
their reach. 

The poor wretched man felt, for the first time in his life, 
like praying in earnest. Confessing all the sins of his past life, 
both general and particular, he acknowledged what a hypocrite 
he was, and expressed fears that Heaven would be shut against 
him, as were all the doors on earth. He then confessed his last 
great fraud in obtaining the property he had lately acquired. He- 
promised to sell it all and give it away, or dispose of it to the 
advantage of mankind, if God would only save him from the 
frogs. 

When he arose from his kneeling position during prayer, 
there was not a frog to be seen, though but a moment before he 
had heard the loudest bellowing of all — which was probably the- 
ojd pirate’s signal for suspending operations. 

The wonderful news soon spread that the Elder had prayed 
off the frogs. But he knew, and his family knew, that his 
promises, made in despair of any help but from God, had been his 
refuge from the scourge. 

He was now convinced that Frank Friendless was right ; and 
to him next day he went, with his new resolution, to enlist him in 
buying all he had on earth, that he might be rid of the frogs ; and 
before night he had sold out, and made over to the town twenty- 
five thousand dollars, to be used for the widows and orphans and 
the poor of every class. So ended the Elder’s experience among 
the frogs, leaving him as poor as ever, and in the same condition 
that many would be in should they follow the dictates of their 
consciences. 

Though Elder W ebber wondered why he was obliged to give 
to the poor, to appease his Maker, on account of the trick he had 
played to obtain the twenty-five thousand dollars, he could not 
understand why frogs did not trouble him on account of worse or 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


45 


greater sins than lie thought this one to be. Frank could have 
enlightened him, but he gave Frank a wide berth for a long time 
thereafter. 

The Elder got frightened once, after this, leading him to 
tremble with apprehension that he might have to make a clean 
breast of all his sins. He was taking a little stroll by himself, 
limping along, with his hands crossed behind him, pondering over 
the events of his life, when he came suddenly across a big bull-frog ; 
whereupon he fell upon his* knees. But the frog, muttering, 
jumped as though frightened out of its wits, or as if a great 
serpent had made his appearance. This was the last frog he saw 
for some time. But he hated frogs worse than he did old Satan. % 


CHAPTER Y I. % 

We must now return to Frank. He had witnessed the 
■discomfiture of the Elder with great satisfaction. He felt that 
he was justly dealt by. For a long time he had seen no frogs, 
and there was danger of his neglecting his duty. 

He had been praised so greatly by all for his great work of 
benevolence in the various ways mentioned, that he felt he was 
not only the richest man in town, but the best and most useful ; 
hence he believed he was so strong in the favor of God and man, 
that the old pirate with all the frogs on earth could not frighten 
him again, or bring about his downfall. 

Now, this was a dangerous state of mind and heart to be in. 
It did seem as though he meant to follow the example of old 
Pharaoh, and so deserve the name ; while the old pirate would be 
likely to be more violent, should he start on another rampage, 
than he had ever been. 

As to Frank’s wife, we may now show her interests in the 
affairs of life. She had proved a good wife, so far, and thought just 


40 FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER; OR, 

as her husband did about all things. They had now two children, 
a son and a daughter. Of course they were gratified at this, and 
saw clearly that they had laid a foundation for a great generation 
and name. 

At this time the little boy was four years old, and as bright 
and lovely as a child could be. He was their first, and their joy 
and their pride. The parents both thought him perfection, for 
beauty and intelligence. Their whole soul seemed bound up in 
him. lie was to be, ultimately, their representative. To him 
their wealth and great name were to be intrusted. He, in fact, 
had become an earthly god, their idol. It is true, they loved 
their little girl, but the boy was their first-born. 

Frank and his wife counselled each other in reference to the 
vast wealth that was still in their possession. It was the opinion 
of Frank’s wife that they deserved all the balance now in their 
hands, which was about one-half of the pirate’s money. 

They had had the pleasure of spending two millions of his 
money. But they did not realize that the exercise of the privilege 
had made them famous, or that their great and honorable 
standing was obtained at the expense of some one else’s gold. 

Had they, in reality, been as good at heart as outwardly, and 
as the world thought them, the benefits accruing to them in 
spending the money would have satisfied their ambition. This 
spirit of avarice in Mrs. Frank Friendless met with a hearty 
response by Frank ; hence they found themselves united in evil as 
well as good. 

One day, just before night, as Mr. Frank Friendless and his 
wife, accompanied by their children, were passing through the 
hall to the door, the little boy ran on in advance ; and having 
reached and opened the door, a big old bull-frog, with big 
bulging eyes and great mouth, and with a great hoarse croak 
like the roaring of a bull, leaped in, and directly upon the little 
boy, who was frightened nearly to death, and who, with a scream, 
fell to the floor in a fit. 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


47 


It seemed hard and unjust to seize the little boy as a victim 
for its parents’ fault. But then it must have been right, as the 
example in old Pharaoh’s case clearly showed, wherein all the 
first-born were slain, as we read (Exodus, chapter 12th, 29th 
verse) : “ And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote 
all the first-born in the land of Egypt.” 

The parents had enough to do to attend to their child, 
without giving any attention to the frog. The little boy 
continued so long convulsed, that in alarm they sent for their 
doctor, who soon made his appearance, and administered ether, 
which seemed to break the convulsion, and he was soon restored 
to consciousness. 

The doctor now questioned the parents in reference to his 
previous health, and also as to what had occurred to throw him 
into the fit — as it was clearly to be seen that he had received a 
great nervous shock ; but they pretended ignorance as to the 
cause, saying that it came on suddenly and without any previous 
derangement. 

The doctor was perplexed, for he knew the child must have 
been greatly frightened. But they could not bear to tell the 
cause. They remembered the party, when frogs were so plenty 
they broke it up and destroyed their pleasure, and remembered 
the scandal that followed. They therefore pleaded ignorance. 
Unfortunately for their pride, at this juncture a big old frog gave 
a great hoarse croak, and in an instant the boy was again 
convulsed. Seeing this, the doctor said the case was now clear. 
They then acknowledged the facts. They were exposed, and saw 
no other alternative. 

The doctor ordered the boy to be taken to the most central 
room, where it would be impossible for him to hear any sound or 
noise whatever, and where he soon became quiet. After giving 
directions, he left. 

The doctor had been a guest on the occasion of the great 
aristocratic party, and had participated in all its parts, even in the 


48 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER ; OR, 


reception of the frog demonstration. He remembered all, and 
what was said. 

As he passed out he was saluted with such a serenade, by 
scores of frogs, that he hastened in disgust to his carriage. What 
was his horror to find it half full of frogs, which, upon his appear- 
ance, leaped out in all directions, squirting water, and croaking 
like crazy frogs, while the doctor exclaimed : 

u The Devil is in the frogs surely ! or the days of old have 
returned to remind us of what has been forgotten. This manifes- 
tation is a fearful curse, whether it is a natural result of the 
condition of the locality, or a miraculous display of God’s 
power.” 

As the frogs took their departure they seemed very indifferent 
-as to the direction they went ; hence the doctor’s horse shared in 
n shower of them, of all sizes, all croaking as though they were 
trying to outdo each other. Of course the horse was no more 
used to or pleased with their very lively presence than was the 
doctor; and had he not been hitched, there might have been a 
more serious calamity than had already occurred ; for he reared 
and snorted as though the Devil was in him as well as in the 
frogs. But he soon quieted down, and behaved like an intelligent 
horse. So the doctor returned to his home, cogitating upon, the 
wonderful works of God and the funny freaks of his creatures. 

He tried to solve this phenomenon, as well as that which had 
astonished the entire vicinity on the occasion of the great party. 
He could not arrive at a satisfactory conclusion, and therefore 
determined to have an interview with Frank, and see if he could 
throw any light on the subject. He concluded Frank had made it 
a study; besides, he was no inferior man; while the interests 
involved in the affair must have prompted him to seek a solution 
in every possible manner. 

Ah ! Frank did not have to pry into what was so great a 
mystery to many, yet lie felt unwilling to publish the source of 
his fortune, or the cause of the frogs coming upon him. He was 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


49 


afraid he would be considered in league with the Devil, and that 
he would be as greatly shunned therefor as once before ; for since 
that day his wise and benevolent course had redeemed him in the 
eyes of the world. 

He and his wife fairly cursed the old pirate and the frogs ; yet 
they knew it was their own fault, though they were inclined to 
believe that the treasure itself was cursed of God, and that even 
his and his wife’s portion might be a curse to them, after all. 
They tried to make themselves believe that it was not because they 
did not continue to do as directed, but because it had been possessed 
by the old pirate, and by him obtained in so unlawful a manner. 

When the doctor arrived, next day, and found his patient 
very weak — though he had no more fits — he gave encouragement 
that he might fully recover from the shock ; though, should the 
occurrence be repeated, he could not tell what the result might be. 
He now inquired, in the following manner, what was thought to be 
the cause of the strange phenomenon : 

“Mr. Friendless, what do you think of this wonderful visit, or 
rather, visitation of so many frogs? You must have an opinion, 
whether right or wrong. It is a visit to you in particular, as is 
evident from the fact that nowhere else, at the same time, can 
such an occurrence be found to have taken place ; and this could 
hardly be possible, for from appearances all the frogs on earth 
had swarmed in and about your house.” 

Frank was somewhat inclined to tell the doctor all he knew 
about the affair— as he was both a good and wise man— but he 
shrank from meeting public opinion. He knew all would say that 
he was in league with the Devil or evil spirits, and perhaps doubt 
his right to the vast treasure he had found, discard’what he might 
say in reference to the manner of discovery, the authenticity of his 
and his wife’s grandfather’s loss, and even of the parchment 
itself, and assert that he had taken this course in order that he 
might keep as his own that which of right belonged to the public 
only. 


50 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER; OR, 


He finally pleaded ignorance in reference to the cause, and 
said he supposed it was only accidental ; perhaps the location of 
his house happened to suit the frogs. The doctor retired, as far 
removed from light on the subject as ever. 

The next day frogs were as plenty as on the day before. 
They were in all directions, hopping on the servants, into the 
milk-pails — into everything, in fact. They came by thousands. 
Frank then ordered all hands to slay all within reach. And the 
slaughter was terrible. They all joined in the fray, and thousands 
were killed; and though they buried them by the bushel, many of 
the wounded and dead fell among the grass and in places where 
they could not be found; and the next warm day rapidly decom- 
posing them, the atmosphere was filled with a stench quite unen- 
durable. Upon the arrival of the doctor, soon after, he ordered 
disinfectants to be thrown around. This changed the case for the 
better, but it did not entirely remove the evil. Consequently a 
low typhus fever followed, and all in. the house were prostrated. 
The doctor, with a corps of nurses, had his hands full ; while the 
circumstances of the affair coming to the knowledge of the people, 
they were as ready to believe Frank cursed as they had of late 
thought him favored of Heaven. 

Frank and his wife both prayed to be spared, and confessed to 
their minister that they knew all their troubles were because of 
their great wickedness. The minister tried to comfort them, yet 
he was inclined to think the hand of God was in the affliction, and 
he told them so. But old Blackheart’s hand was in the affair, and 
they knew it. They said they believed the Devil or evil spirits 
were the cause of their trouble ; whereupon an old bull-frog, 
which had escaped the slaughter, croaked from under the bed. 
This caused Frank and his wife, in their physical prostration and 
disturbance of mind, to tremble as with an ague-fit, and to cover 
their heads with the bedclothes, which very much surprised the 
clergyman. 

Frank and his wife promised, if God would spare them, that 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


51 


they would do every duty, even if they were required to give away 
.all their substance ; and the minister prayed mightily to God in 
their behalf. Through the influence of their resolutions, the 
encouragement of their pastor, the skill of their physician, and the 
gracious interposition of Heaven, they were spared. The atmos- 
phere again cleared, and once more hope and joy filled the hearts 
of Frank and his wife. 

They clearty saw that holding money in trust was a very 
responsible and dangerous position, and they determined to carry 
out their resolution and dispose of all as soon as possible. 

The people wondered as greatly as in the first instance of the 
frogs making themselves such an intolerable nuisance, and as 
curiously flocked to see and hear as they did on the former occa- 
sion, and as greatly filled the house as the frogs had done, though 
not so annoyingly, except that Frank aud his wife, on hearing 
themselves discussed in no very favorable terms, were anything but 
pleased therewith. They revived the name of old “ King Pha- 
raoh,” and again called his place “ Egypt,” and his strange 
visitation “ The Plague of Frogs.” 

All his trials, and what followed as a result of them, row 
made Frank fully disgusted with his life. He began to wish that 
all the old pirate’s fortune, with his grandfather’s and his wife’s 
grandfather’s, had remained where old Blackheart had buried it. 
A neglect of duty caused him keenly to deprecate his untrust- 
worthiness ; for he knew in his heart that this last frog-plague was, 
as well as his first scourge by them, in consequence of his default 
in the discharge of his obligations. Frank now felt genuine repent- 
ance, that is, the kind that brings forth works. 

He now gave with a lavish hand to every benevolent enter- 
prise, to schools, churches, and in every conceivable way ; so that 
all saw, and said, that it was not because of a hard and stingy 
heart that he was cursed with the plague of frogs. 

His boy was now quite well again. But what a severe lesson 
had been the illness of his first-born ! and how much better Frank 


52 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER ; OR 


would have enjoyed life had he been a poor man, or even earned 
his wealth by his own industry. 

They were quite happy, however, now they were trying to do 
right; for both Frank and his wife shared equally in all then- 
sorrows and joys a<s in all the great resposibility and management 
of their affairs. And when they reflected and called to mind what 
the old pirate had said about gaining his freedom when restitution 
was fully made, they did not wonder that he had raised the Devil 
with them, or blame him for all the evils he had brought upon 
them. So far as they then saw, it was all their own fault. 


CHAPTER VII. 

Frank had been so faithful the past few years, that he only 
had about one million more of the old pirate’s money to dispose 
of ; and though he had done so wonderfully for his fellow-men, he 
was still the richest man in town, and for many towns around. 

It had been a long time since he saw a frog, and he and his 
wife indulged a hope that they had become extinct ; but if they 
were not, they concluded the old pirate had become satisfied with 
their performance. They had been so greatly praised for what 
they had done, they were led to think if he were not satisfied he 
must be worse than old Satan himself. They finally concluded 
that, because of their faithfulness thus far, and their sufferings, 
they had well earned the balance ; and thus feeling, they so acted. 
They suspended their acts of charity, which was noticed by the 
people, who concluded that they had to suspend. 

Frank was like many others who change from good to bad, 
and from bad to good, very often through a lifetime. His children 
were among the best, and his wife was worthy of her position as a 
wealthy man’s wife and the mistress of a great establishment. 
Their little boy was now six years old, and a finer boy of his age 
oould not he found. 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST 


53 


About this time strange and wonderful occurrences trans- 
pired, causing as great a change in their quiet mode of life as the 
curse of frogs had caused. 

One night, after retiring, Frank and his wife were very much 
startled at having some one knock at their room door, as they 
thought, and he arose to answer the summons, supposing it to be 
one of the servants ; but what was his surprise to find no one 
there. He spoke, but received no answer, and wondering, he 
again retired ; but no sooner had he done so than the knock was 
repeated. He inquired what was wanted— for he still thought it 
some one of the family — and for a reply a rap, louder than before, 
was repeated; but upon opening the door no one was to be seen. 
This was repeated till they became alarmed, and concluded it 
must be a supernatural warning. 

Now, for all this, they did not think of old Captain Blackheart. 
And though it was before the phenomenon called “ Spirit Rap- 
pings,” yet they felt it was something unearthly. This wonderful 
rapping >vas repeated night after night, till they were quite weary 
and vexed. It was a wonder to them why it always occurred in 
the night, just as though it was done by some wicked, intelligent 
power, prefering darknes rather than light, being actuated by some 
evil motive, thinking the probability of tormenting them effect- 
ually greater at that hour than when busy with the affairs of life. 

About this time the little boy seemed to become a somnambu- 
list. He would arise and walk all about the house ; and at such 
times a great rapping would be heard on the doors, on the walls, 
and even on the head-boards of the beds. Often the little fellow 
would place his hands, trumpet-like, to his mouth, and cry out: 
“Ship ahoy!” and again, “ Man the guns! Fight till the death 
of the last man !” And after he had been walking in his sleep for 
an hour or so, he would waken and go back to bed, and sometimes 
without waking. 

That Frank and his wife were alarmed, was not surprising. 
They feared their boy was going crazy. But in the morning he 


54 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER’, OR, 


would appear all right again. After a season they called their 
doctor ; hut he could discover no derangement in the child’s sys- 
tem, and told them he would outgrow it, suggesting that they 
should correct his meals at night and his play during the day. 
But this wonderful condition of things continued the same as 
before. 

Finally the doctor was invited to remain all night, that he 
might have his own observation to aid him in forming a correct 
opinion of the case, and, doing so, he saw the boy in the peculiar 
state into which he now so often entered, and he also heard the 
rapping. He at first thought Friendless was cutting up some 
prank, but soon became convinced that he had nothing to do with 
it. He then said he believed it to be the Devil. He refused to 
remain longer, and left in alarm and disgust, fearing that he him- 
self, though a man of science, might become possessed of the 
Devil also. 

The family were now tormented night and day. The rapping 
all over the house, wherever they went, continued, and seemed to 
accompany them. 

The little boy now often went into the somnambulistic state, 
even when he was awake and at his play in the daytime ; and 
sometimes he would swear like an old “ man-of-wars man.” 

One day, while all was quiet, the household were startled by 
hearing a great crash and the rattling of glass. Upon hastening 
to the room, there sat the little boy at play with some toys. 
When asked what in the world he had done, he innocently an- 
swered, “ Nothing.” But there before him was a mirror, costing 
a large amount, all in pieces, having had a large book hurled 
through it. The boy had not noticed it, which satisfied all that, 
though he must have done it, he was* unconscious of the act. So 
they all began to think that the boy was bewitched. 

Thus things went on for a long time,’ people flocking to see 
and hear, but none could explain the strange things they heard 
and witnessed. 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


55 


One clay, while most of the family were away, the little boy 
obtained a pole, and, fastening a black shawl to it, run it out 
through tlie window, and then procuring an old broom, he called 
on all to surrender, or he would sink the ship. 

Now, upon hearing of this new development, the parents, for 
the first time, began to think that the old pirate had bewitched 
their boy. And as they had congratulated themselves upon their 
escape from the frogs without spending all their money, and had 
laughed at poor Elder Webber because he had to spend all of his, 
they now felt alarmed. They remembered the old pirate had 
said in the manuscript, that if he failed through the frogs to accom- 
plish all his work, he would be enabled, after restitution had been 
made sufficiently to advance him above the frogs, to take another 
form, and accomplish in that what he had not succeeded in doing 
in the former agency. Therefore they feared he had got into 
their boy, and would also get into them, and so they, pirate-like, 
might go to killing each other — they supposing that he could get 
into as great a number of people as he seemed to have got into 
frogs. 

But still it did not occur to them that they might appease the 
demon by doing as they had done when the Devil, or the old 
pirate, was in the frogs ; and it was a long time before they decided 
what course to take. They had many lessons to learn before they 
were led to do what was right. 

Frank and his wife now fully discussed their situation, and 
came to the conclusion that the old pirate had changed his mode 
of operation, and wondered what he would do next. They con- 
cluded, however, upon considering the matter, that he would not 
take possession of either of them— not realizing that they already 
had a worse Devil in themselves than the old pirate was— but they 
were horrified at the thought that their boy might become like the 
old pirate. While they were thus debating the subject, old Black- 
heart was getting ready to give them the greatest surprise they 
had received since making his acquaintance. 


56 FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER; OR, 

One day, while they were away from home, and the servants 
not being so watchful as when the eye of their master or mistress 
was upon them, the little boy did what the old pirate could not 
make the frogs do : he took matches, and in fifteen minutes had 
the grandest house in all the country on fire in half a dozen 
places. 

Soon the servants were alarmed, and hastened to alarm others 
and to put out the fire ; but all to no purpose. The boy, with a 
small hatchet, stood in the main stairway, and when any one 
approached he would cry out, “!No quarter! Rob, kill, and then 
burn the ship !” The servants were not only horror-stricken at 
the sight of the fire, but also at the boy’s fiendish appearance. 
After the fire had got beyond all control, he retired to a safe 
distance, and with great glee clapped his hands and cried out, 
“ Dead men tell no tales. Hip, hip, hurrah !” 

At this juncture his parents returned, and at once took in the 
situation. They saw that several hundred thousands of dollars had 
been swept away by one stroke of ill fortune ; besides, they must 
endure the disgrace of having a boy that was worse than the Devil 
himself (for Satan did not do such infernal things); and then, it was 
so very inconvenient. 

The poor fools became blinded at last, and would not beliewe 
that the old pirate had anything to do with their boy, but thought 
it might be Satan himself. They now feared that their idol of a 
son was not born so good after all. They had to watch him day 
and night ; but for all that he continued to do all sorts of mischief, 
until it did really appear that he must be totally depraved, and 
fully controlled by old Beelzebub himself. 

One day he procured a pair of scissors, and completely trimmed 
the tails of his father’s best span of horses, shearing dose to 
the skin, so that the poor horses had nothing but the bone of their 
tails for a switch and ornament. His father, this time, was angry, 
though he laughed at the ludicrous sight. Of course he could n©4 
drive his team, and so had to use an inferior pair. 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


57 


But one night Prank thought he could be denied the privilege 
of using his best horses no longer, and, as in the darkness of' 
night their tails did not look so singular, he had them taken out 
for a drive; and as they had been idle for sometime, “ they felt 
their oats” mightily. So taking his wife and children, he started 
on his way. 

The horses would not bear the least touch of the whip when 
they were used every daj r , and now it would be dangerous to drive 
them at all. As they started off they began switching each other 
with their whip-like tails, and presently they were going like a 
whirlwind. They kept on, in spite of all efforts to check them, 
while the little boy often cried out, “ Steady your helm !” Their 
course was directly towards the river, and into it they dashed. 
Fortunately they all escaped, as many persons were present to 
render assistance ; but the horses were both drowned ; while the 
little boy, climbing to the top of the carriage, sang out, u Ship 
ahoy !” 

Now, the boy had never seen a sailor, and how he could have 
learned sailor phrases was as much a mystery as anything con- 
nected with their strange affairs. 

They all soon recovered from the shock of the adventure, but 
were inconstant dread of some new outbreak of the boy. This 
condition of things was very perplexing, as at this time they were 
temporarily settled in an inferior house, while men by the score 
were building another grand structure, requiring much of the time 
and attention of Mr. Friendless. 

One day, having to leave home, and the boy being asleep, 
they securely tied his hands and feet, and left him on the bed. 
They had just reached their destination, which was only a short 
distance, when the boy made his appearance, he having learned 
their whereabouts from a servant. 

They asked him who untied him, and he answered that he- 
had not been tied, which convinced them he had been in an- 
unconscious, or trance-like state during the untying. 


58 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER ; OR, 


About this time they found him writing an uncommonly 
good hand, altogether different from his usual style ; and this is 
what he wrote, and which his parents read with horror. 

“ I am Captain Blackheart. As you have done something in 
the way of complying with my instructions, I have been enabled 
to rise above the frogs, and now show you my power through 
your boy. Hence you had better take heed and finish up your 
work before you have nothing to bestow. But even this would 
not save you from torment, any more than it would prevent my 
full restoration, which would follow because of my continuing to 
torment you for your unfaithfulness. This I should delight in ; 
for I now like to see justice done. And it woi^ld be just to thus 
deal with you. You had better therefore dispose of the balance 
you now wrongfully hold, in the same manner. In so doing you 
will get rid of me also. And unless you follow my advice, and 
thus secure my full release, so that I shall not have to look after 
you, you will ultimately find that 1 have become free in considera- 
tion of having tormented you, while you will take the place which 
I at present occupy. Then be wise.” 

Frank and his wife were so much astonished that they hardly 
knew what to do for their safety, or what to do with their boy; 
but they finally concluded to put him where he could not be the 
means, through old Blackheart’s power, or through his own 
inherent devilishness, of ruining them entirely. In this w&y they 
thought to head off the old pirate in spite of his evil power over 
their fortunes. 

They had no power over the frogs, and so in respect to them 
were helpless ; but the boy was under their control. So they 
conceived the plan of building a cage, and had one made of very 
substantial posts and bars, and placed therein his toys, and such 
other articles as would interest him. 

They took this course because they did not mean to be driven 
hy an old praitical demon to do differently from what they chose. 
How strange that parents could thus sacrifice their child’s 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


59 


liberty; their darling boy, too! One would think they could have 
been willing to become beggars, rather than to have their boy 
fmter a cage as a maniacal prisoner. 

Their excuse was, that they had tried tying him, times 
without number, and had locked him in a room by himself, but all 
to no purpose ; hence they determined to conquer the boy, as in 
accomplishing this they would defeat and conquer old Blackheart. 
They knew but little about the power controlling their boy ; but 
they learned much ultimately. They believed it would be for 
their future advantage, including the boy’s also, to thus restrain 
him of his liberty to bring ruin on all. They grew more blind, 
and harder of heart, like old Pharaoh. 

Though, as an honest biographer, we have to present the 
fapts as they actually transpired, regardless of what may be 
thought of our theological views, yet we can hardly refrain from 
making here this statement as a digression. 

If the inhabitants of the invisible world were permitted to do 
ull that their abilities would enable them to do, perhaps greater 
wonders would be seen than Frank and his wife witnessed. But 
the Infinite Spirit holds all finite spirits under His control or in His 
power, and no farther than He permits can any spirit go, whether 
good or evil; but just so far as He sees proper they may go, 
though that permission may be incomprehensible to us. 

After weeping over their boy, they put him in his cage, and 
he, not being pleased witli such treatment, inquired the cause of 
it. They then enumerated all his previous evil deeds; explained 
the results following, and told him that it was not to punish him, 
but to prevent him from repeating them. 

He could not be made to believe that he w^as the author of so 
much mischief, for he knew nothing of the pranks that he had 
performed. He therefore could not appreciate the anxiety and 
motive of his parents, nor see the justice of his imprisonment. 

All the community learned of the affair, and the wonderful 
story spread without losing any of its interest. It was said that 


60 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER ; OR, 


the boy was possessed of the Devil, which made the avaricious 
parents unhappy. 

Well, the boy retired to his bed, and soon went to sleep, and 
so did his parents. But old Captain Blackheart did not ; he was 
wide awake. 

In the morning when the parents arose and went to see their 
little son, they were thunderstruck to find him gone, and the cage 
closed as when they left it. 

They were alarmed, and thought at once that the Devil had 
carried him off. But finally, in looking for him, they were 
agreeably surprised to find him in his own room, fast asleep. 

They then returned to the cage, and examined it in all its 
parts. The bars were only four inches apart, while the door 
remained locked, and the key was still in the pocket of Mr. 
Friendless. They were puzzled, for the mystery was beyond 
their comprehension. 

If they did not feel like crying out, “Great is the mystery of 
godliness,” we think they felt like saying, “Great are the 
mysterious works of Satan and we cannot wonder at it. Whether 
Captain Blackheart made Frank, through the same power he 
claimed to exert over the boy, open the cage, or whether the boy 
did it in his sleep, or whether it was some other invisible power,, 
as some might suggest, we have no means to determine ; we can 
only present the fact, and leave all to puzzle over the incompre- 
hensible mystery. 

They were reluctant to tie him in addition to putting him in 
his cage. They were certain no one could get out ; and why the 
boy should succeed they could not understand. So they ques- 
tioned him about his escape ; but all he could tell them was this : 

“A man, having a sword, came and opened the cage and 
took me out, and took me to my room and placed me in bed. I 
thought you had changed your mind, and sent him to do so. I 
asked him his name, and he told me he was Captain Blackheart, 
and a great friend to us all. So I thanked him, and he then left.. 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


61 


Oh ! he looked so good and noble, as though he would do anything 
for any one.” 

Whatever the boy’s vision, it is probable that Captain Black- 
heart had changed as greatly in looks as in principle ; for when 
one sees his errors and seeks to undo all the evils of his life, his 
countenance changes with his heart. 

The parents were amazed, but more so when their little boy 
wrote the following letter and directed it to his father : 

“ Mr. Frank Friendless, Sir I am afnendto you and your 
family, and in particular to your little boy. You stand on slippery 
ground, as I once did. It is through him that I shall show you 
that I tell the truth, and that the work of my own salvation 
will be accomplished. Captain Blackheart.” 

If Frank could have believed that it was the old pirate influ- 
encing his boy, he might have taken a different course. He did 
seem to credit the manuscript concerning his influencing the frogs, 
and he had great reason to ; but he was unwilling to believe that 
he was managing his boy. Nevertheless they determined to 
baffle, old Blackheart, in spite of his boasted power over their 
son, let his agency be what itmiight. So they concluded to watch 
the next night ; and in order not to disturb the boy* they sat in 
darkness, Frank having two men for company. But poor foolish 
men ! they were soon sound asleep. They afterward thought it 
was natural sleep; at any rate they fell into a deep sleep, 
just as those did who guarded the apostles, when an angel 
opened the prison door, leading them forth and leaving all 
things as they were. And thus it was with Frank and his two 
friends. 

In the morning they found the boy in his room, quietly 
sleeping, who, upon awaking, said he did not know when he left 
the cage, as he did not awake. 

The next night, after the boy was asleep, they tied him firmly, 


62 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER*, OR, 


beside putting a clasp about his ankle and fastening the chain 
thereto attached to one of the posts. They also kept watch dur- 
ing the entire night ; and, sure enough, so he remained. They 
now thought they had gained the victory. But the next night 
proved the contrary; for in the morning the boy was gone, while 
the chain remained unfastened and the clasp unlocked. "VVdiy the 
boy was left undisturbed the previous night, we cannot say, as we 
did not manage the affair. We can record the facts only. It may 
be conjectured, however, that one night was required by the 
agency doing the wonders to investigate the new obstruction, and 
so be prepared to remove it on the night following. 

The next night, one of the men with Frank occupied the cage 
with the boy, and each had a rope around his body connecting with 
the lad, thinking thus they would feel him move, and so be awak- 
ened if they went to sleep. 

But he was gone in the morning, while they found themselves 
tied to each other in a very incomprehensible manner, and with a 
knot entirely new to them. Frank said he believed the Devil tied 
them. To free themselves without the aid of others and the use 
of a knife was impossible; and while all were busy in their 
endeavors to untie the men, what was their surprise to have the 
little boy spring forward and cry out: “Avast there, you land- 
lubbers! lopk and learn ! Remember how to do your duty !” and 
in half a minute he had the knot untied. 

They were now afraid of the little boy, and were inclined to 
think the Devil helped him ; and as he untied them so readily, 
they said they believed he tied them while they were asleep. 
They were like those who “ would not believe in the future life, 
though one arose from the dead.” Though puzzled, they deter- 
mined to baffle whatever power controlled the boy. 

They again watched, but, as before, were baffled ; for while 
they slept the cage was taken to pieces and removed from the 
house. In amazement they beheld what had been accomplished, 
and declared that it only could have been done through super- 
natural power. 


THE pirate’s giiost. 


62 

The little boy could give no light on the subject, any more 
than he could in reference to the tying and untying ; for he was 
not conscious of taking a part in the affair. IJe undoubtedly was 
in a somnambulistic, or trance-like condition, when he performed 
such incomprehensible things. 

One strange freak of the incomprehensible, invisible, and, as 
Frank thought, “infernal” power displayed in this work, was 
putting the timbers of the cage in the well ; and though not 
sunken, they were recovered with no little trouble. Their sleep- 
ing so soundly puzzled them quite as much as any part of the 
programme; and it is a wonder they did not accuse themselves 
of doing the strange things while asleep and under the influence 
of a controlling dream. And who knows? 

We have no doubt but that many of the most marvellous 
things done and imputed to supernatural agency, are done by the 
persons with whom they occur, either while asleep and under the 
influence of a dream, or when absent-minded, or in a trance-like 
condition. We have seen persons do things while in an abnormal 
or trance-like state, resembling the somnambulistic state, that 
they could not do in their normal condition ; hence they have been 
thought above human power. But we must close this digression, 
and leave Frank and his wonders, remaining as greatly puzzled as 
the reader, and again present Elder Webber and more of his 
adventures. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

Elder Webber had heard all about Frank’s second scourge 
of frogs, and also of the wonderful proceedings subsequently in 
connection with the little boy, and thought he saw an opportunity 
to make money out of the new wonder. 

The Elder had changed wonderfully, and professed great 
friendship and interest in Frank’s family since his own trouble. 


64 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER; OR 


Probably he thought it “wise policy,” inasmuch as many had 
said his own trouble was for persecuting Frank. Besides, Frank’s 
father had been a clergyman, and to convert the Elder, and save 
him from his past evil life, he had made great efforts, and had 
also done what he could to bring him into the ministry; and 
although the Elder had many times fallen out by the way,' and 
had shaken the good man’s hope of saving him at last, yet he 
held on to him. Hence Frank’s father had been quite busy, the 
last years of his life, in keeping the Elder straight. But the 
Elder had an effectual way of making people believe, for the time 
being, that he was sincere. Frank, though knowing his antece- 
dents, was also inclined to believe him in earnest this time. Thus 
there was a good opening for the Elder. 

The Elder spent many hours at Frank’s, and always had with 
him his boy, instructing him to learn all that could possibly be 
learned, both in reference to the raps and to the trance-like 
appearance of Frank’s boy. 

It was fortunate for the Elder, in his new devilish device, that 
he had a boy, a bright little fellow, and “ a chip of the old block.” 
He had manifested, for several years, quite as much interest in his 
father’s horse-trades as the Elder himself had; and in fact % he, 
like his father, really thought that the use of any means was 
justifiable in the matter of making money. Such an assistant 
would prove no small aid to the Elder, in carrying out his newly- 
conceived plan of turning a portion of public notice from Frank 
to himself; and though Frank would not turn the mysterious 
phases of his affairs into a money speculation, as he was rich, yet 
the Elder, being a poor Methodist minister, people would not 
think it strange in him doing so, but would uphold him in it and 
help it along. 

The Elder wisely concluded that, as both Frank and himself 
had been plagued most to death with frogs, the public would 
•expect him to have an experience with his boy similar to that 
which Frank was having with his. 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


65 


As before stated, the Elder saw money in the new wonder, 
just as professors of legerdemain do in their mysterious and in- 
comprehensible tricks, and which they turn to a money-making 
account. He therefore improved an opportunity to gain informa- 
tion which others used for mere curiosity ; and if he should not in 
reality have such wonderful and unaccountable things occur, he 
was determined, by having them imitated, to make the people 
believe they did; for he enjoyed being hypocritical in everything. 
The Elder, having this view of the subject, believed that though 
he could not contrive any plan for raising the Devil which could be 
patented, he had concocted a way of raising money which might 
prove superior to preaching. 

His first plan was to produce the raps. This was no small 
task, but he succeeded in the following manner : In the cellar he 
had a stick, about three feet long, hung on a pivot at the distance 
of about one-third its length, so that the long part would be the 
heavier. He then fastened a string to the short end of the slick, 
and passed it through a staple driven in another place about one 
foot below the stick, and thence along across the cellar to another 
room, and thence up through the floor. The stick was directly 
under the floor where the Elder took his seat by a table, upon 
which he had his Bible. 

After taking a seat, ^nd reading a few appropriate verses and 
singing a short hymn, he would ask questions, when his boy would 
pull the string to produce the raps of one, two, or three, just as 
the fact might require an answer of “Ho,” “Don’t know,” or 
“ Yes.” 

Elder Webber seemed to find favor with supernatural powers 
Oi some kind, and he cared but little what their moral status was, 
so long as he was led on to fortune and to fame. Sure enough, 
his boy had been an apt scholar, and could imitate Frank’s boy 
very well in all things. But lo and behold ! it soon was evident 
that the boy was, in reality, possessed of a power altogether 
beyond the ability of his father to understand. 


66 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER ; OR, 


Now, at the date of our story, or at the 'time when all these 
things were taking place, animal magnetism was as little known 
as spiritualism. Yet, ever since the world was made, or two 
mortals placed on earth, animal magnetism has been in existence. 
Thousands of men, women and children have been under its in- 
fluence, yet knew it not. 

Well, Elder Webber possessed this magnetic influence over 
his boy, and his desire being so great to have him become like 
Frank’s boy, and he so concentrating his mind on the subject and 
connecting his boy with it, the boy was soon in. a similar condition 
to that of Frank’s boy; that is, he was brought under the power of 
animal magnetism. In that way the Elder controlled him, though 
unconscious of the fact himself. Hence the peculiarities of his and 
Frank’s boy he thought to be similar. 

By this time all the people thought that the Elder’s and 
Frank’s experience in the case of the boys was to be analogous to 
that <of the Elder’s and Frank’s in the case of the frogs. 

The condition of the boy at last became very strange indeed. 
Whenever in conversation with his father, all his father’s thoughts 
and eccentric notions were the boy’s thoughts and notions ; and 
on that account there were some strange capers performed for so 
young a boy, making it a very easy thing to believe the boy was 
bewitched. 

One day the Elder felt very much elated at the prospect of 
finding great wealth through his boy, even hidden treasure, and 
this thought found a lodgment in the boy’s head also, and resulted 
in his writing out, in full, that a great pot of gold was buried in 
the grave-yard, and named the locality — though not so definitely 
as could have been desired, as it was within the space of ten feet 
one way, thirty the other, and two deep. 

The boy’s mind was so influenced by his father’s mind, that 
this was one of the results ; and probably why the treasure was 
located in the grave-yard rather than some other locality, was be- 
cause the Elder was thinking of the grave-yard and grave-digger 
when the thought of buried money first came into his mind. 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


67 


A great task wak now before the Elder, for he might have to 
dig thirty feet by ten, and two deep, before finding his prize. But 
he was in the prime of life, and able to perform hard work, yet a* 
big a coward for a coward as old Blackheart’s bull-frog was for 
a frog. So digging in a grave-yard at night, all alone, was out of 
the question. But whom could he employ, or to whom intrust 
the secret? 

He finally resolved tb look over the ground by daylight, for 
that he was not afraid to do ; besides, he could invite one of the 
brethren to take a walk, and, as hundreds entered the cemetery, 
they could do so, too. He accordingly took this course, but was 
disappointed in his discoveries, as he found two newly-made graves 
within the limits of the space supposed to contain his prize ; and 
he queried, “ What if the grave-digger has found the gold, and 
what had I better do about it?” He was certain the gold was 
buried as stated, and he was very anxious about it. He finally 
concluded to call on the grave-digger, under the plea of borrowing 
some money ; and as they both had accommodated each other on 
former occasions, it would not appear strange. In taking this 
course he could ascertain whether or not he had much money on 
hand. But he was met by the poor, hard-working man, who was 
on his way to the Elder’s on a similar errand. His anxiety being 
now relieved about the pot of gold, he very willingly accommo- 
dated him with all he had, for he was sure of having more, and 
an abundance. 

He now determined to go to work with the. aid of his boy, 

which he accordingly did, after consulting him as to the spot. 

And the Elder was gratified to find that it was in an easy place to 

dig, and just where his own judgment said the gold might be. 

Hence he had all the hope, as well as avarice, he needed to stimu- 
/ 

late him in his search. 

Now it so happened that a couple of medical students had con- 
cluded to “snatch” the body of the last subject, which was that of 
a young woman who had died of consumption ; and it so happened 


68 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER*, OR, 


that they had selected the same night the Elder was to dig for his 
money. They were not so anxious, however, as the Elder was to 
begin their task early, for theirs would not be half so great; hence 
he had been at work several hours when the robbers came to do 
their dismal work. They were dressed in disguise, and also had 
with them a sheet, in which to play the ghost if they were disturbed. 
So, while the Elder was digging with all his might, his boy kept 
watch. 

When the young rascals came to procure the body, they were 
very much surprised to find some one ahead of them, and after 
their own prize, as they supposed. So they concluded to wait till 
they thought their predecessors had accomplished their object, and 
then by strategy secure the body without doing the work. 

Now the Elder had taken along a bottle of his good Holland 
gin, to keep his courage and hope up ; and he had lain off his coat, 
containing his pocket Bible and hymn-book; but his bottle of gin 
he had by his side, so as to take a little often. And thus he 
worked on, hour after hour, till he came to the last grave. He 
had gone about two feet below the surface, as he had been advised 
by the power directing his boy; and this, too, singularly enough, 
accorded with his own judgment. 

The young students became very tired of waiting so long, as 
well as curious, and therefore concluded to play the ghost and see 
how their strategem would work. So, well clothed around with 
the sheet, looking so like an unearthly being, one of them took a 
position within a few feet of the Elder, when his boy, seeing the 
white object, in fear cried out, “ A ghost ! a ghost !” while at the 
same moment the Elder saw the apparition too, or, as he feared 
the Devil himself, and with a spring worthy of Frank Friendless, 
or old Blackheart’s bull-frog, he started upon the jump. He could 
not stop to run, with his lame hip, so he went it by the hop, on 
one leg, nearly a rod at a time, the boy yelling like one crazed, 
close in the rear. The Elder kept on till he fell half dead at his 
own door and at the feet of his wife, who had been on the lookout 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


69 


that none should see her husband bring home his gold, and also to 
be ready to take it in charge when he arrived. 

The two young men — now puzzled more than ever — went to 
work and had their prize, and made a swift and safe retreat. 

The next morning the Elder’s wife started quite early to 
recover the coat and bottle of gin, as it would not be to the 
Elder’s advantage if these things were found in the grave-vard. 
But the grave-digger, with another man, had gone there earlier 
still, as there were several graves to be dug that day, and it would 
require an early commencement to have all completed in season. 

'Therefore, when the Elder’s wife came up she saw the men, 
and as she knew they would identify the Elder’s coat and bottle 
of gin, she boldly presented herself for them ; but when the 
grave-digger pointed to the empty grave and coffin — for the 
students had also retreated in haste, as it was growing light, and 
having no time to fix things up — Mrs. Webber was amazed, and 
began to think her husband guilty of digging up the girl instead of 
gold — as she knew he would do if he thought he could make 
money thereby. So she knew not what to say, but in fright fled 
to upbraid her husband for committing such depredations on the 
dead, and- deceiving her. She knew the boy was under his father’s 
control, and now she believed the Devil’s also, since their digging 
for gold had proved a failure, besides involving them in serious 
trouble. 

When she returned, and related to her husband all that had 
transpired, he, poor fool, thought that the young woman had 
appeared to him herself; and he was now more frightened than 
ever, thinking that he, too, was soon to die. But he soon recovered 
from this condition of mind. - Now, in a country place such as 
this, the desecration of a grave-yard spread like a report of 
murder ; and soon the neighbors from all directions flocked to the 
• Elder’s to upbraid him for his monstrous wickedness and glaring 
hypocrisy — the unbelievers declaring that it was worse than 
swapping horses. 


70 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER; OR, 


The Elder was soon taken into custody and brought before 
the leading justice, where he made a clean breast of the whole 
affair. 

Now, the great space dug over before coining to the grave 
seemed to corroborate the statement of the Elder, and a search- 
warrant being issued and the body found — though the robbers 
could not be — the corpse was reinterred, and the Elder discharged 
from custody. 

Had the young rascals secured the body in a quiet way, 
replaced the coffin, and restored the grave to its former appear- 
ance, the Elder would have been saved his exposure, and the 
greatest hubbub the place ever experienced would have been 
entirely avoided. 

The labor, fright, and jumping on one leg as though Satan 
was indeed after him, and the yelling boy — for he was still under 
the control of his father’s mind, and, like his father, thought the 
Devil was after them sure — combined to completely upset the 
Elder, and make him severely ill. On this account the people 
were inclined to pity him. They concluded that his mind had 
been shaken on account of giving away his inheritance, when he 
might have retained it, and thus have saved himself the necessity 
of digging for gold and its consequent embarrassing exposure. 

They therefore made him a donation. And it was not a little 
amusing to see how the donation visit was managed. Some of 
the brethren brought what they could spare, or what they could 
part with at the least sacrifice ; others brought what was of no 
use to themselves ; while others brought what had to be consumed 
at once to save it — thus disposing of that which was of little or no 
use to themselves as an offering to the Lord. A few brought 
money. But by the time they had all satisfied themselves with 
the good things of the table which they had brought, their 
remuneration was about equal to their donation. 

Though the proceeds of the party did the Elder but little 
pecuniary good, yet it served to make him feel that he was again 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


71 


established in the good opinion and loving esteem of the church. 

Frank Friendless was among the donors. He was much 
inclined to pity the Elder to a large extent, but upon reflection 
he only gave him what would be expected from q rich and good 
man. The troubles of Frank had caused him to feel a pity for 
the Elder he never could have felt without such experience. 

Tho Elder soon recovered and went to preaching very 
zealously — for he had as much “brass” or “cheek” as the 
boldest “ confidence man” on earth — and soon his gold-digging 
scrape was forgotten ; for he had earnestly.declared that, if he had 
gold by the bushel, he would only do good with it, and that was 
why he cared for gold. And the course he took once, when he 
gave away all his inheritance, gave his statement the appearance 
of truth. But he was as much subject to the temptation of his 
evil nature as ever, and was as shrewd as horse-jockeys always 
are — though he was now only an ex-horse jockey; yet he was one 
in principle just the same, and his other profession was only a 
cloak to enable him to get the best of the bargain in all trades. 

He pondered over the loss of his twenty-five thousand dollars 
and reasoned as follows : If the frogs came to curse him for 
obtaining such money through some old pirate, in such a dishonest 
manner as he had employed, that perhaps Frank Friendless had 
also come into possession of some of the same money, somehow, 
before it had been advertised ; for their experience had been the 
same, and it looked quite reasonable that they had both been 
punished for the same offence. 

Well, he continued to wonder and reason how Frank obtained 
his money. He thought he saw light. Frank had become as 
suddenly rich as he had by getting his twenty-five thousand 
dollars. That, after getting all fixed up as he had, then came 
the frogs just as they had to him. And he concluded that he 
must have obtained it in a manner similar to that of his own. 
Of this he felt certain, “ and that was why he knew what I must 
do to appease the frogs ; and as I was thus cursed, he also knew 


72 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER; OR y 


the nature of my wealth.” But how frogs came to take an 
interest in the affairs of those who came into possession of such 
money, was a mystery that puzzled the Elder more than the most 
obscure text in the Bible. 

The Elder thought, of course, that if Frank had obtained 
such money, he had procured it as he had, dishonestly ; for he 
believed that all who became rich, or made a good trade, were 
dishonest. But he was very careful, for a season, that Frank 
should not suspect his thoughts, as he might be on his guard, and 
he, consequently, not be able to detect what he would like to — 
the source of Frank’s wealth beyond a doubt. He thought that, 
if he could ascertain the source and manner of his obtaining his 
great wealth — his surmises proving correct — he would be enabled 
to make him divide with him, rather than he should expose him. 
Therefore, if the case was as it now looked to him, he should soon 
be all right again ; and he concluded to hurry up the u old jade,” 
as he called one’s fortune, by writing the following letter to test 
his suspicions : 

“ Mr. Frank Friendless, Sir Having learned the source 
of your fabulous wealth, I have come to understand the cause of 
your scourge of frogs, and of your other peculiar trouble ; and as 
you may be anxious to appease an offended God and thereby turn 
away His wrath, I now write to you, that you may kill two birds 
with one stone — that is, appease Divine displeasure, and silence 
my tongue. 

“ Should you not feel inclined to follow my suggestion and 
part with a portion of the pirate’s money, perhaps public opinion 
will make you wish you had, when it will be too late to disprove 
the facts which I know to be true. 

“ Should you see proper to bestow twenty-five thousand dollars 
on me, you can do so on to-morrow night, at ten o’clock. I shall 
ride past your house, and you will know me by my dress. I shall 
be attired in black, with goggles on, and light veil. You are not 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


73 


to speak, only to hand me the package, which I shall take without, 
reply. I am a lady acquaintance, but you will never know my 
name, as I now use a fictitious one. Eudoria Smith.” 

The Elder knew that, if his experiment proved a failure, he 
would be no worse off afterward than before ; but his present view 
of the case led him to anticipate a favorable result, which prompted 
him on to happy success. 

His reasoning had, in part, been correct. He once possessed 
a portion of some old pirate’s gold, and by being driven to part 
with it had been more fully driven to the Devil, if possible ; though 
he pretended he had given it away all for the Lord’s sake, or His 
cause. 

He thought he could so disguise himself that he would escape 
detection. He felt very sure of the money, as he .argued in his 
own mind that such an accusation, though false, would lead Frank 
to accept the proposition offered to prevent its becoming public ; 
otherwise he would not have ventured the experiment ; while he 
was so confident of success that he did not fear, or even stop to 
consider, that the disguise, if detected, would not be a very env- 
iable predicament for him, a Methodist minister, to be found in. 

When Frank read the letter, he exclaimed, “ Poor Elder ! he 
knows not what he is doing!” He at once saw through the plot. 
And had it not been for the fact that he knew the Elder would 
have to disgorge again, he might have taken a different course 
from the one pursued, and one he would have been justified in 
taking toward any one who undertook to levy “blackmail,” But. 
as he would be getting rid of some of that money which had 
caused him such a suffering life — even from the first day of its dis- 
covery — he was quite willing to comply with the demand of the 
Elder, who would, he believed, soon find himself engaged in some- 
thing beside preaching the gospel to sinners and swapping horses.. 

According to the Elder’s programme, at the hour mentioned 
a strange team, with the Elder as a lady dressed in black, came 



74 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER; OR, 


slowly on its way, and, as it was about passing, Frank appeared 
and handed a package to the lady occupant, who took it, and 
bowing thanks, continued on. The Elder had purposely driven in 
a round-about way, so as to be in the direction of his home. Frank 
was inclined to enclose a note for him, but upon reflection con- 
cluded to let him rejoice in his success, as he knew it would be of 
short duration. 

The Elder now felt that he was comparatively rich again, and, 
as once before, he changed somewhat his surroundings, but not 
much, for fear the people would say that he had found a pot of 
gold, or had again been successful in his favorite business of 
horse-trading. 

So in his happiness he went on for a season, when, all at once, 
the rapping he heard took all the grandeur out of those raps he 
and his boy had produced. Now this astonished the Elder, and he 
was inclined to think the Devil was becoming liberal toward him, 
after all. He concluded that perhaps it was because he wasn’t so 
infernal poor, therefore not so much beneath his notice. But had 
he known of the existence of old Blackheart’s manuscript and its 
contents, his eyes would have been opened with as much of a 
horrified stare as they were in church when the old pirate bellowed 
through the old frog at his feet. 

Whatever the wonderful power was so puzzling to Frank, it is 
quite immaterial to us, as we have only to state the facts, without 
any selfish motive, and are as willing that it should have been old 
Blackheart as the Devil himself, or any one else. But Captain 
Blackheart, having progressed to a condition beyond that of the 
frog, and having now the capacity to take possession of the Elder’s 
boy and control him as the means of accomplishing his will, 
because of his superior refinement may have found it more in 
keeping with his condition to turn over the Elder and his family 
into the hands of those more in harmony with their natures ; and 
if such instruments were in reality evil spirits, they would be 
doing only what he had accomplished in part for himself — working 
out their own salvation while raising the Devil with the Elder. 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


75 


The Elder now felt that he was of more account than ever ; he 
had twenty-five thousand dollars, and none were aware of it 
besides his wife. Frank Friendless even, or any of the brethren, 
did not know of it; when, before, it was known that he had his 
money, as he had to apply openly to obtain it. Therefore he 
would have to invest his treasure in a private manner, which, 
beside preventing unpleasant remarks — though never so much ' 
■deserved — it would not be the means of causing the brethren to 
withhold their support. 

Notwithstanding the Elder believed it was because he obtained 
the pirate’s money unjustly he was compelled to give it up, and 
though he pretended to believe Frank’s money was of the same 
nature, yet he was willing to run the risk of again offending God, 
or whatever power had sent the frogs to him to torment him for 
his crime. 

The Elder was now so elated, that he showed his good feelings 
in his sermons and in general conversation ; while his boy began 
to act queerly, and by his odd pranks to interest the household. 

Sometimes, after his father had prayed in his family, the boy 
wduld pray for hypocrites, and again for horse-jockeys, and then 
for the wicked of every kind. 

Once, when the Elder felt like praying for all creation, and 
was some time about it, his boy, who had procured a needle and 
some stout linen thread, actually sewed the edge of his father’s 
coat skirt firmly into the seam of the carpet, so that when the 
Elder moved to arise from his knees he found, as he thought, that 
the Devil had him by his coat tail ; and in his surprise he as 
suddenly slipped from his coat as ever any rascal did from the 
hands of an officer. With amazement he beheld the situation, 
while his wife, in her effort to lift it up, found it tightly sewed into 
a seam of the carpet which she herself had sewed months 
before. 

She rubbed her eyes and took a second look, then ran from 
,the room, followed by all the others, declaring the Devil had done 


76 


FRANK FRIENDLESS ANI) ELDER WEBBER ; OR, 


the work ; while the boy was most frightened of all, which saved 
him from the least suspicion. And in fact he was as far from 
knowing that he had a hand in as were the others. At this 
juncture some friends called, to whom they related the affair, and 
who at once exercised their good sense by releasing the coat 
with the use of the scissors. They admitted it was a curious 
transaction, but said it could not have been done without hands, 
and believed the Devil had employed them. Therefore they 
advised the Elder that on the next occasion to watch as well as 
pray. The Elder’s family had become very nervous, and began 
to believe the Devil was after them in reality. 

The affair went abroad in spite of every effort to prevent it, 
and it was reported that “ the Devil would not let the Elder arise 
from his knees till he had confessed all his sins.” 

Before starting for church on Sabbath morning in their new 
family carriage — they rode in style after his success with Frank — 
his boy, who was still full of the Devil, had procured a comic 
picture of two horse-jockeys swapping horses; and the illustration 
was so perfect that none could mistake its meaning, while the 
motto underneath, in large letters, was : “ I’ll give you my horse 
for your mare, and a gallon of the best Holland gin to boot.” 
Well, the boy had sat just behind his father in the carriage — 
but just how he did the trick we cannot tell, doubtless the Devil 
helped him, as, according to report he can do almost anything, and 
all kinds of devilish works are laid to his charge — and thu& 
contrived to fasten the picture under his father’s cloak on to the 
back skirt of his frock coat ; so that, when the Elder threw off his 
cloak in a very pompous manner, there, in plain view, was the 
objectionable picture. The “ sinners” gave a laugh that w r as both 
loud and long, while the Elder, for a moment, thought the con- 
gregation was going crazy. He was soon informed of the cause of 
all the mirth, but of course did not suspect his own innocent boy- 
He now felt that his popularity was at stake, and hence took his 
text with the intention of showing that, because of his goodness r 


THE Pill ATE’S GHOST. 


77 


some one, instigated by the Devil, was seeking to destroy his 
influence. His text was : “ A tree is known by its fruit.” 

In illustrating his subject he described various fruit-bearing 
trees, showing that some were of the same species, yet the fruit 
was as different as the different races of men, though all were 
from the same source. And when it was discovered that a certain 
apple-tree, for instance, bore good fruit, the fact was well known ' 
by the numerous clubs and stones beueath its branches, where 
they had been used to knock off the apples. So it was with the 
good and faithful Christian — quoting : “ All who live godly in 

Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution not may, but shall — no 
way to escape it. For his part, he was willing, and, by the grace 
of God, able to endure hardships, like a good soldier of the cross. 
il And when the clubs and stones are seen lying around,” said he, 
“ please remember it is because the tree bears good fruit.” 

But quicker than thought his boy exclaimed in a shrill, loud 
voice : “ What if a sour apple-tree has a big old hornets’ nest in 
it, and the boys throw stones and clubs at it; is that a sign of 
good apples too?” 

Well, the Elder laughed, and so did all the congregation; 
they couldn’t help it. He saw that the boy’s question had spoiled 
his sermon completely, he having been unfortunate in his illus- 
tration ; and he really wished for a glass of his Holland gin. 

After the meeting closed, the “ ungodly” put it to vote, to 
determine whether the Elder was a good apple-tree, bearing good 
fruit, or a sour one, with a hornets’ nest in its branches ; and they 
closed their discussion by naming him “ Elder Hornet.” 

Once, when the Elder was praying in church for mercy for 
the chief of sinners, the boy cried out : “ That means Elder 
Webber,” which so astonished his father, and all present, that it 
looked as though he might as well dismiss the congregation and 
go home ; but he was not very easily disconcerted, and therefore 
took his text, which was : 

“ The Devil goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he 
may devour.” 


78 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER; OR, 


He iu the first* place gave the origin of the Devil; then he 
compared him to a roaring lion. Here he portrayed the king of 
beasts in ail his wild ferocity; then he showed that Satan was just 
like him, only more so, that is more evil ; for said the Elder, the 
lion kills and destroys to eat, having a perfect right to appease 
his hunger; but the Devil kills and destroys out of pure mali- 
ciousness, pure devilishness, when it does him no good, not even 
in appeasing hunger. Then he described the roar of the lion and 
the roar of the Devil. He said the Devil’s roar, though in a 
whisper, so far exceeded the roar of the lion, that while the 
lion’s roar only paralyzed the nerves of the body, the roar of the 
Devil paralyzed both soul and body, because it was whispered to 
the soul direct. 

He had often heard the Devil roar, though but in a whisper, 
saying : “ Elder Webber, don’t you want all of the kingdoms of 
the earth V Only fall down and worship me, and all shall be 
thine ;” and as he uttered this in a whisper, to illustrate his sub- 
ject, his boy cried out: “Did you accept the offer?” And 'the 
contrast between the Elder’s whisper and the shrill yell of the boy 
was so great, that the Elder sat down, while all the congregation 
leaped to their feet in affright ; for none at first knew who the 
interrogator was. It sounded no more like the voice of the boy 
than it did like the report of a musket, and it was so unexpected, 
and so in contrast with the whispered illustration of the Elder, 
that its effect reminded the congregation of the description of the 
blast of Gabriel’s trump at the “ day of judgment.” 

The Elder soon asked: “ Will some brother pray?” and, 
wonder of wonders ! his own boy prayed, equal to a “ presiding 
elder;” so that all were as much amazed to hear such a prayer as 
they had been upon hearing him ask the question. The boy 
seemed to know no more about the affair than if he had not been 
present. 

That night the Elder left the boy at home. In fact the 
youngster declared that if he cut up so he did not wish to go* 
So all the rest of the family went, leaving him at home. 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


79 


It so happened that the Elder had just procured a new horse,, 
and given him in charge of the boy ; and hardly had they reached 
the church before the boy, taking some oats to entice him along, 
led him into the house and up a flight of stairs to an unfinished 
chamber. .He then gave him a box of oats and left him to enjoy 
his new quarters. 

When the Elder returned his boy was on hand, and very soon 
had his father’s horse put up for the night, and all things squared 
away. 

Now, the Elder being very much fatigued after the labor and 
excitement of the day, they all soon retired, and all were soon 
asleep except the Elder. 

And it so happened that his new horse, after eating his oats, 
lay down to rest, like a horse at home ; but the bare floor was not 
like that of a well-bedded stall, and he was rather restless. Just 
as the Elder was passing into a soothing sleep and a beautiful 
dream, the horse raised himself up. The racket he made was 
almost enough to frightened a good man to death ; the effect upon 
the Elder then can be imagined. The chamber being unfinished, 
and the floor-boards loose, the horse, when he began walking 
about, made a racket equal to what “OldScratcher” himself might 
be supposed to make, had he been shut up instead of the horse. 
The Elder’s sermon about the Devil had made him think that he 
had come for him sure enough, and in fright and haste he jumped 
up, as did all his family, and they started for the door, thinking 
they must escape from the house ; when, to make things 
worse, if possible, the horse, by accident or design, came down 
stairs in a great hurry ; but they succeeded in opening the door, 
and had just got well out when the old horse followed his owner ; 
and with a snort and his tail pointing to Heaven — as the Elder 
thought — he started upon a “dead run” for his old home, some 
miles distant— the Elder not even mistrusting that it was his own 
horse, or any other, but believed him to be the Devil incarnate. 

The fright fairly broke the poor Elder down, and his teeth 


t 


80 FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER; OR, 

chattered, and his whole body shook as with an ague-fit, while he 
declared that in reality he never believed there was a Devil be- 
fore, and there was a prospect of his praying once more in earnest. 

Now this affair was spread abroad, for the Elder missed his 
horse, and the original owner found him in the morning; besides, 
the Elder’s family had ventured up stairs, and seen for themselves 
that a horse had been there in reality, or else the Devil was like a 
horse indeed. 

By this time the pranks of the Elder’s boy were fully known, 
and it was said that he was excelling Frank’s boy by a great deal ; 
but as the elder had been anxious to experience all this notoriety, 
that he might turn it to a moneyed account, he was not going to 
give it up just because some of the incomprehensible things of 
late had brought ridicule upon him. The people suggested that 
he and Frank join partnership and exhibit the wonderful works of 
the Devil through their boys ; but while Frank would do nothing 
of the kind, the Elder would have been unwilling, as he believed 
that he and his boy could astonish the whole world and satisfy the 
curiosity of all interested, and so save to his own pocket all the 
income. 

But somehow the boy and his father did not seem to work 
together — everything went wrong ; but still the Elder persevered. 
He now had public seances, with an admission fee, and had them 
in his church. One evening with a full house the Elder began to 
sing: 

u From Greenland’s icy mountains, 

From India’s coral strand;” 

and here his boy broke in with unexpected vigor : 

“Where Afric’s sons and daughters 
Creep round among the sands.” 

The Elder and all laughed, as though the boy had made an im- 
provement. 

After the mirth had subsided, the boy again sang the following 
impromptu song : 


THE PIRATE’S GHOST. 


81 


My' father was a nobleman, 

And a very fine man was he, 

Blit I was a naughty boy, 

And so ran off to sea. 

“ I ’ve sailed to every foreign clime, 

I’ve roamed the whole world o’er, 

And under the ‘ cross bones and black flag’ 

I reaped a golden store. 

“ And many a ship I’ve helped sink — 

For dead men tell no tales— 

And now I stand on the infernal brink, 

Where I hear gnashing of teeth and wails. 

u And that man there, who talks so fair. 

Who preaches to you his belief, 

Is worse than I, so says the Most High, 

For the receiver is worse .than the thief. 

“ Gold he has laid up in store, 

Obtained by knavish wit, 

And still he hungers and thirsts for more, 

As though he hadn’t a ‘ bit.’ 

“ And now I’ll go to that evil man, 

And let this boy take rest. 

And you all shall see, as plain as you can, 

That of the Elder and Pirate I’m "best.” 

At the close of the song, the peculiar state the boy had been 
in passed entirely awa} r , and he took his seat with as little con- 
sciousness of what had been going on as though he had not been 
present, while the singular influence seized the Elder, just as had 
been predicted in the song. He twitched in every limb, squinted 
his eyes, and made the most horrible facial contortions that were 
ever seen, and finally arose to his feet and began to swear- like an 
old trooper, and made use of all the most horrible^ language that 
an old pirate would use while engaged in battle. This soon passed 
off, and then another singular influence seemed to come upon 
him, making him act worse than before, and imitate an Indian. 
And thus he went on, acting many degrees worse than any single 
devil could possibly have made him, till he began to personate 
an old horse-jockey and horse thief, which brought down the 
house. 


82 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER ; OR 


He next personated a Methodist local preacher, and said that 
he was neither one thing nor another. It put him in mind of a 
tad-pole, that is, a young frog just as it was passing from the 
polly-wog state to a frog, with its legs growing out and shedding 
its tail, so that it was neither tad-pole nor frog ; and as a minister, 
the local preacher w r as only called into use in case of necessity ; 
and then added: “As for poor Elder Webber, he might have 
been a millionaire, if he hadn’t been a poor, honest Methodist 
preacher.” 

Then, all at once, the influence changed, and he went to 
dancing like an old dancing-master ; and, with his lame hip, he 
made the greatest laugh during the seance. While yet dancing, he 
came to his normal condition, and for once in his life he appeared 
really ashamed of his position. This was the first time the spirits 
controlled the Elder. 

A reporter present gave a minute, detail of all ; and/i sicker 
man than the Elder was, for a season, there never lived. Frank 
Friendless thought it served him just right. 

The Elder now often passed into a peculiar state, just as 
Frank’s boy had, and his own too; and often, when in this condi- 
tion, he did many funny things ; so that people said he was crazy 
or possessed of the Devil. 

He took a great notion to buy horses; and people came to 
believe that he had found a pot of gold, at any rate, he had so 
much money. He bought, in all, thirty horses, and there was not 
one good one in the lot, while at the same time he paid just as 
much as though they were first-class. Some were poor as crows, 
others were spavined, some had the heaves, and a number were 
blind and lame. They were a burden to themselves to live, as 
well as to the Elder to keep. 

After the Elder came to his senses, or into his normal condi- 
tion, and saw what he had done with so much of his money, he 
said that he must have been on a long drunk, and cursed and swore 
like the old apostle Peter, or like and old pirate ; and finally he 


ME PIRATES GHOST; 


& 

did get as drunk as any old toper, and kept so for weeks, accom- 
panying his debauch with the worst abuse possible of his family and 
friends. His horses were a dead loss to him, and he gave them to 
a company of tanners, who killed them for their hides. 

Soon after this he made the acquaintance of a gang of horses 
thieves and counterfeiters, and concluded to join them. As he 
had money to use in branching out in the business, he did so, and 
became as prominent in the new enterprise as he had been as a 
horse-jockey and Methodist preacher. But misfortune followed, 
and soon every dollar of his twenty-five thousand was gone, and, 
worse off than a beggar, and as wicked as old Lucifer, we will bid 
him adieu. 

If the .Devil was not in the Elder, or the spirit of some old 
horse-thief or jockey, while others were around him, then his evil 
nature must have become fully developed, for he as speedily went 
to destruction as the swine did, when, after the devils entered 
them, they ran into the sea and were drowned. 


CHAPTER IX. 

At the peculiar affairs and conduct of the Elder, Frank and 
his wife were not surprised, while his fate led them to see and feel 
the importance of doing something to quiet their own fears and 
clear their own consciences; but which way to turn, except to the 
path of duty, they did not know- Finally they concluded to visit 
their pastor, as they knew him to be both wise and good. 

Frank’s wonderful adventures with his boy continued, but # 
that very evil appearance or influence which previously showed 
itself, had passed away, and was replaced by a mild and winning 
way, seeming to indicate the influence of a mother’s or a father’s 
presence in changing the nature of the boy. Let that be as it may, 
the change in Frank and his wife corresponded with the altered 
influerice about the boy. 


84 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER; OR, 


They finally went on a visit to the minister’s, and took along 
their boy, thinking that, if he should enter into his very peculiar 
state, their pastor would know how to pity them, as well as under- 
stand how to give counsel. They had no sooner became seated 
around the table to dine, than the raps were heard underneath, 
although they ceased, in a few moments, till after dinner. 

All the particulars of the new phenomenon were related to 
the minister’s family, and discussed and finally disposed of to the 
satisfaction of the clergyman, but not to the satisfaction of Frank. 
He was still unprepared for that part of the programme which 
interested the clergyman’s family to a great degree. 

They held a consultation, and it was arranged that the bo}'- 
should remain over night at the minister’s, and that he and his 
wife should keep an eye constantly upon him. 

During the evening the boy called for a slate, and then wrote : 

“Rev. Sir. — Your duty lies with Mr. Friendless, and not 
with his boy. He now has one million of gold in his possession, 
which he holds in trust to be divided among the poor, or to be 
used in the cause of humanity. 

“ During my frog campaign he did his duty quite well, but 
now he even scorns my name, and defies my power. I shall con- 
tinue to follow him through life, unless he does his duty. But the 
worst feature in his case is, that he knows his duty, and does it 
not. Captain Blackheart, Pirate 

The minister presently asked the boy why he had written 
what was on the slate, and he answered, very frankly, that he did 
not write it. “But,” said the minister, “ I saw you write it;” 
and immediately the boy wrote again : 

“He does not know anything about the affair. I, who once 
roamed the high seas and scourged men, and who lately took pos- 
session of a big frog, led Frank Friendless to his grandfather’s 
million, and to the' million of his wife’s grandfather, and to four 
millions more, which latter four millions he was to use in the cause 


The pjrate*s ghost. 8/> 

of humanity. He lias stopped short of ‘doing his whole duty. Fie 
is now exposed in his sins, the source of his gold brought to light, 
and unless he takes heed to himself, he will be led to take a course 
lie will regret for all the future. Capt. Blackheart.” 

The clergyman was confounded. He was inclined to think 
the Devil was in the boy. He was convinced that the boy knew 
nothing of what he had written ; in fact, he was not capable of 
writing it. 

All were alarmed, and the minister prayed for deliverance 
from the evil spirits that hovered around. But what was their 
surprise to have the little boy follow in an eloquent prayer that 
was never surpassed by the most eminent divine, and still more 
surprised to hear him pray for his son Frank and his little grand- 
son. At the close, the little lad seemed to be unconscious of all 
that had been done. 

The minister’s family passed a restless night, and, quite earl} 
in the morning, they visited Mr. Frank Friendless, taking home 
the boy. The clergyman fully related all that had happened. In 
a moment the boy was on his knees, and such a prayer as he 
offered up to Heaven those present never listened to before. 

He prayed for his son Frank and his family, and besought the 
Lord to be gracious, to help his son do his duty and thereby save 
his own soul, that he might be happy here on earth, and that the 
future life might be to him all progression, joy, love, and peace. 

He then thanked his Heavenly Father for what his son had 
been enabled to do, though he had been scourged. He also 
thanked Him that it was not too late for a full and complete 
victory over temptation, and besought the extension of lftercy 
for his boy. He then closed by pronouncing the apostolic 
benediction. 

“ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, 
and the communion of the Holy Gost, be with you all. Amen.” 

In amazement Frank exclaimed : “ It seems to me like my 


86 


FRANK FRIENDLESS AND ELDER WEBBER. 

father praying when the boy approached, and, extending his 
hand, said : 

“Yes, I am your father visiting you through your boy. And 
I led you, on your first day’s journey, toward your fortune. I 
also influenced your mind, and led you forth to seek that hidden 
treasure rightfully belonging to you ; but its discovery to you 
belonged to another, whose right I could not gainsay. I am still 
near you, to cheer you in the path of duty ; and while your faith- 
fulness brings up the low and wretched, it also, gives me great joy 
to see that, in doing your duty, you are preparing a bright future 
where gold is of no account. Farewell.” 

It really seemed to Frank that his own father, by supernatural 
power, was speaking to him from the other world through his 
own little boy. And the wonderful occurrence made as lasting an 
impression on him as though he had seen his long-departed father, 
face to face. 

Frank Friendless now followed the dictates of his fully 
aroused conscience, and soon found himself a happy man. 

In conclusion we will say, we have no explanations to make 
of this last development, any more than of any other of the 
singular and interesting things in the adventures of the persons 
of our story. To the author these wonderful things are not 
understood. The facts alone he has given, without fear or favor. 


FINIS. 














































































































































































































' 


















































































































• I 












































« 














9 


























r *c 


o < c 

2\ t <: 

c < .-<c 

• 

* . .. i : . - 

: ; '€ 


t C v 

CfC 

<c 

: cc 

•v& «c 

.*■ ? 

eft <c -. 

;i < 2 : 

<• » ? < ■ 


: ^ c - ., 


{'re <r 

' <2' 

(•.<( ^ ;■ 

•,C2 

3 «. C Oi<£ <s< 

3.' ,( ■• 

« 

E:.V o ' ■•: 

<« 



%7 , *^' ^ r <t 

/ C4H BET 

<#3 


j>* j? 1 ' jf'jr'S . 'tr ! ■*' a 


[gvTmi! il ' •ff-''* <dj 










* if* . C ^ v * QH 







BPf§ pL.'*?* **''^ 


;> V* ; c* ; > 

^8^* WKP il* ■ 

\J Y . v * -"X 4 ^ , - '*« 

JT£\ T 

~$mEZj£S8l 




ncClCjBpfa 

rf s’/jr ' 4SHSH 


y?y*»jMf »V‘ ^ r *'^^>^\i \ltr ' V %x ^|f"jCri 




_V \ 


p * I a* » T7 

MT '4T( Yf®S 



* .fSv’V^D' «». J| 


■ 


Upr^ 1 ^ T 

"IV'vF ^TT. \ '• ; 


SE^^K^Sr ? v ( 

bT *^3 

tv\ Q 

• ' Mm if , XM (1 l ^BH 

*' Jm ^ a ‘ j£MET > X ^ ykJJ4J\ 

Wnrir ^ ^ 

ht '^TiSftS&3 

K%* Vf n>7 \ *‘ 4 . 

■Ply* M i^.W..w cil 1 EfTMlJ 

jy * *5iJiM®vJy. ^RC 

Y«| 

•V t v ' * : •*;* ^.< • 

ff" 

v 1 _j* 



■m W* " rfV j i 


mJjfjiji nWiuH'tW .. 

' V* fn^m » iy y *y^l 

vV 

sygr 


. . 4?V ■*g.'Vi» ; 






Wrtk ''•^yV.V -. 1 

V-4Hvs '*SWpMh ■ 




iSs! 

a Cff. f> oBal^K. * 






55jj 






z’jr j 

lJ 

[(I In fl 



I1B jl 



lv _ v?JSr 




r 'frgmsr &ie$t 

'w? &*& p*^ gill y/Jr^ t^ff, /r cjyv* TyJ}* -•* Jw f< * /'jw 

CT* • \ * liXI' 

V-A- 

\ K V ? tit - MHL vV’* ^v®0HL. 








